If the first two days of the NHL playoffs are any indication of what we can expect over the next few weeks, we may need to buckle our seat belts. Additionally, it is recommended that we keep our arms and legs inside the ride.
Two of three games went to extra time on Tuesday night, with the nightcap in Anaheim just as competitive. The difference in each of the outcomes were minute. A bad bounce here, a misplayed puck there; can change the fortunes of a team and a series.
It’s never a good thing when games are won on anything but merit. When there is a stalemate or a deadlock the best players have to step up to provide the difference. Here are five players that will be counted upon to be difference makers in the playoffs.
5. Braden Holtby - Goalie, Washington Capitals
Holtby was the hero for Washington in last season’s playoff run. The unheralded rookie captured the hearts and imaginations of even the most pessimistic Caps’ fan as he helped push the top-seeded New York Rangers to seven games before bowing out. Alexander Ovechkin put the team on his shoulders to get the team to the postseason, but it will be up to Holtby to step up if the Capitals are going to make a run.
4. Anze Kopitar - Center, Los Angeles Kings
As the top player on the Stanley Cup defending champs, Kopitar will be asked to carry a lion’s share of the scoring for the Kings. Jeff Carter and Mike Richards chipped in with some timely scoring this season, but the offensive fortunes of the reigning Kings rest on their young Slovakian center. Of course Jonathan Quick will do his thing in goal for Los Angeles, but don’t expect to see another blunder from him like Game 1 in St. Louis.
3. Jonathan Toews - Center, Chicago Blackhawks
The President’s Trophy and a quarter are worth exactly 25 cents. Jonathan Toews knows that the Blackhawks will be expected to reach the Stanley Cup Final after their magical regular season run. With Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa in the fold, the Hawks are considered favorites be there when the dust settles in the Western Conference. Captain Toews stirs the drink at the “Madhouse on Madison” and will be the driving force behind Chicago’s success, or failure.
2. Tuukka Rask - Goalie, Boston Bruins
This is the second full season for Rask as the starter in the Boston net. He covered for Tim Thomas during his hip surgery season of 2009-10. With scoring in Boston down, the Bruins will be playing plenty of low scoring games. Rask has been up to the task so far in the regular season, but the renewal of an Original Six rivalry in the first round with Toronto will truly test his mettle.
1.Sidney Crosby - Center, Pittsburgh Penguins
The captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins might be expendable against the New York Islanders in the first round, but the Penguins cannot get out of the Eastern Conference with Crosby on the shelf. Sure they are plenty talented with a stable of stars to lean upon, but Crosby is the facilitator for the Penguins. Last season, Sid the kid was exactly that, a petulant childish brat in the Pens upset loss to Philadelphia. Another year older will mean another year wiser for the world’s top player. If he can return to action and gel with the rest of the Pittsburgh wrecking crew, the Penguins will be holding the Stanley Cup in the end.