MIKE KNOBLER. 

Newark, N.J. --- For one weekend at least, Thrashers forward Ilya Kovalchuk won't have to worry about winning and losing and can just go out on the ice and have some fun.

That's what the NHL All-Star Game is all about. Kovalchuk was chosen to the Eastern Conference team Thursday for his third all-star appearance. The game is Jan. 25 in Montreal.

"It's all about fun, hopefully make some good plays so fans can enjoy a couple of moves or some good goals or some body checks or something," Kovalchuk said, laughing at the end because defense and hitting typically are at a minimum in all-star games.

"It's fun, especially in a city like Montreal," he said. "It's religion there. They know so much about hockey. I think it's going to be a really good time."

Kovalchuk is the only Thrashers player on the 21-man Eastern Conference roster, which includes at least one player from each team. Fans voted on the starters; the NHL Hockey Operations Department selected the 15 backups, including Kovalchuk.

He had 14 goals and 26 assists for 40 points heading into Thursday night's game at New Jersey. He's on pace for 28 goals, 24 below last season's total, but he remains one of the league's most exciting players.

"He's certainly deserving," Thrashers coach John Anderson said. "Every time he touches the puck it's a bit of excitement both ways. I can't think of too many players that are much better than him in the whole National Hockey League. People come to watch him specifically."

Kovalchuk started in the 2003-04 All-Star Game and played in last season's game at Philips Arena. He's one of the most experienced all-stars on the Eastern Conference roster; the only players with more experience are fourth-time all-stars Vincent Lecavalier of Tampa Bay, Zdeno Chara of Boston and Tomas Kaberle of Toronto.

The host Canadiens have four players on the team: starters Carey Price, Andrei Markov, Mike Komisarek and Alex Kovalev. The Bruins have three players: Chara, Tim Thomas and former Thrashers player Marc Savard.

Two former All-Star Game MVPs are on the team: former Thrashers player Dany Heatley of Ottawa and Eric Staal of Carolina.