The NHL’s annual all-star game will showcase the greatest hockey players in the world this weekend.

NHL fans will be treated to a unique format during this year’s game that is taking place at the Carolina Hurricane’s home arena in Raleigh. The NHL decided to name two captains for the all-star game and have those players choose their team from a list of eligible all-stars, rather than having the best players from each conference square off.

Nicklas Lidstrom form the Detroit Red Wings and Eric Staal from the Carolina Hurricanes will be this year’s captains. This Friday night these captains will select their rosters from a list of 42 eligible players.

Hockey betting odds are not yet available for the All-Star game.

The skills challenge that takes place Saturday night is the one thing that has not been changed about this year’s all-star weekend. The skills competition will pit the best players in the world against each in various tests of their hockey ability such as shooting accuracy, breakaway competition and hardest shot, always a highlight of the NHL all-star weekend.

The absence of two of the game’s best players will be one drawback of this year’s all-star game. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin both have said that they will not be attending this year’s game. Malkin just announced he will be out with a sinus infection as Crosby is still suffering from lingering effects of a concussion. For two other young stars to make their NHL all-star appearance, the absence of these two great players will just open up the door.