The Starting Six

Here are senior writer Michael Farber's picks for the midseason All-Stars (statistics through Sunday)

G MARTIN BRODEUR, Devils
The top netminder of the post- Patrick Roy era is also the NHL's best player.

D ROB BLAKE, Avalanche
With 10 goals and 32 points, the 1998 Norris Trophy winner had one of his best starts.

D SCOTT NIEDERMAYER, Devils
A skating marvel who blends finesse with excellent positioning.

C PAVEL DATSYUK, Red Wings
The league's sixth-leading scorer (45 points) is a puck magician who has reinvigorated 39-year-old winger Brett Hull.

LW MARKUS NASLUND, Canucks
Less flashy than Ilya Kovalchuk but a superb scorer (league-leading 49 points).

RW SHANE DOAN, Coyotes
A first-round draft pick in 1995, he has incrementally pushed himself to the brink of stardom.