Despite our #VoteJimmah campaign failing to get Jimmy Howard voted in to the All-Star Game next month in Ottawa, the NHL did the right thing by recognizing that Tiberius has been one of the 6 best goaltenders this season and picked him to participate in the All-Star Game. Joining Jimmy will be Pavel Datsyuk, making his 4th appearance at the game.

While we're all very excited that Jimmy is finally getting the recognition he deserves for his stellar season, Wing fans are going to be up in arms that TPH Nicklas Lidstrom was not picked. Now I know that Wing fans are going to be PISSED that Lids won't be playing, what with him being the greatest defenseman of the last 25 years, but there are 2 things to remember here; first, he may very well have been picked and declined (not that we'll ever know), and second, it's based on this year and is not a lifetime achievement award.

Personally, I'm glad that Lidstrom is going to have an entire week off to rest. 42 year old bodies don't heal as fast as they used to, and any extended time off he can get is only going to serve the Wings well going forward.

The full list can be found here. Congrats to Jimmy and Pavs.