10 player s to watch
Ten players – five from the Eastern Conference and five from the West – who should make an impact in the NHL playoffs. One of these players just might lead his team to the Stanley Cup: Brad Ziemer, Postmedia News
SIDNEY CROSBY, Pittsburgh: Even though he spent the better part of the last month eating through a straw as he recovers from a broken jaw, Crosby appears close to rejoining the Penguins. He might even play when the Penguins open against the Islanders Wednesday. And because it’s the playoffs and because he’s Sidney, it’s a safe bet he will pile up some serious points. He has 90 points in 68 career playoff games.
RYAN KESLER, Vancouver: How far the Canucks go will likely has a lot to do with Kesler, who missed much of the regular season while he recovered from off-season surgeries and then suffered a broken foot. The Canucks are hoping a healthy Kesler can be a difference-maker, just like he was in 2011 when he helped Vancouver make it to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final. Kesler has 36 points in 53 career playoff games.
PATRICK KANE, Chicago: Kane is one of those rare players who has scored at a higher clip in the playoffs than in the regular season. He thrives on the big stage. Kane has 52 points in 51 career playoff games and had 28 points in 22 games in helping lead the Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup in 2010. If the Presidents Trophy-winning Blackhawks are going to make another run at the Cup, look for Kane to be a big part of it.
JOHN TAVARES, Islanders: It has been four years since the Islanders selected Tavares with the first pick in the draft and the 22-year-old led the team to its first playoff berth since 2007. He had a terrific season, with 28 goals and 47 points in 48 games and will be pumped about his first taste of the NHL playoffs. An impressive debut by Tavares is imperative if the Islanders are going to upset the Penguins.
PHIL KESSEL, Toronto: Remember all that talk about Kessel’s slow start? Well, it’s ancient history. Kessel finished the year with 20 goals and a team-high 52 points. He had 10 goals and 17 points in his last 10 games. Kessel is one of the big reasons the Leafs ended their nine-year playoff drought and have a chance to actually do some damage in the post-season. Kessel has 15 points in 15 playoff games with Boston.
DAVID BACKES, St. Louis: Impact does not always mean goals and assists. Backes had only a so-so season statistically with six goals and 28 points in 48 games, but his physical presence is one of the reasons why no one was looking forward to a firstround matchup with the Blues. Backes has the ability to create havoc in front of the opposition net and has that rare combination of nastiness and skill.
RYAN GETZLAF, Anaheim: The Ducks are the No. 2 seed in the West, but not everyone is convinced they’re primed for a long run. If the Ducks are to have success, Getzlaf must lead the way. He bounced back with a solid season – 49 points in 44 games – and signed a huge $66-million contract extension. With his big body and offensive touch, Getzlaf can take over games. He has 53 points in 62 career playoff games.
ALEX OVECHKIN, Washington: After scoring only two goals in his first 10 games, Ovechkin came to life and led the NHL with 32 goals this season. He also helped lead the Capitals, one of the NHL’s hottest teams entering the playoffs, back from the dead and to the Southeast Division title. Ovechkin seems motivated and has been a consistent playoff producer with 30 goals and 59 points in 51 previous playoff games.
BRAD RICHARDS, Rangers: The Rangers made a late push to get into the playoffs and Richards was one of the guys who helped get them there. He finished what had been a disappointing season with 11 points in his last six games and the P.E.I. native has a long history of being a clutch playoff performer with 77 points in 83 post-season games. Look for Richards and linemate Rick Nash to do some serious damage.
DREW DOUGHTY, Los Angeles: This is something of an offthe-charts pick as Doughty had a disappointing season with just six goals and 22 points in 48 games. But five of those goals came in the last 11 games and the 23-yearold was one of the keys to the Kings’ Stanley Cup run last season when he had 16 points in 20 games. He has been close to a point-a-game producer in the playoffs with 27 points in 32 games.