NHL Playoffs 2012: Breaking Down Players Key to Conference Finals Comebacks

With the 2012 NHL playoffs in full swing, the conference finals are already upon us.

Two teams have fallen back in their quest for the Stanley Cup, but there is still a chance to mount a comeback for the Phoenix Coyotes and New Jersey Devils. They will need help, though.

Each of the following players must play hugely if their team wants a chance of making a big comeback and eventually taking the series. If these players don’t get going, their respective teams will be heading home.

Ilya Kovalchuk

With the New Jersey Devils down 2-1 in their series against the New York Rangers, the team must get the scoring they desperately need from highly-paid sniper Ilya Kovalchuk.

The New Jersey offensive juggernaut has been anything but elite this postseason, tallying just one point in the first three games of the conference finals. That’s not worth the $6,666,667 annual salary he is getting.

While Kovalchuk has been a liability in his own zone at times, the Devils need to get their biggest offensive weapon going against a stud goalie like Henrik Lundqvist.

Shane Doan

With his first two points of the Coyotes’ series against the Los Angeles Kings coming in Game 4, Mr. Phoenix Shane Doan has finally made his presence known in this Western Conference Finals series.

Now that his Coyotes are down 3-1 in the series, it’s time to put on the comeback mentality and absolutely bring the battle to the Kings. L.A. has a young team, so going right after them may be the best strategy.

Doan has to lead that charge, not only with his elite forechecking, but his offensive prowess. The man needs his teammates to step up as well.

Keith Yandle

The No. 1 key to the Coyote's comeback.

While Coyotes defender Keith Yandle may be the No. 1 defender on the team, he needs to come up way bigger than he has so far this postseason.

With just one assist, one hit and one blocked shot, Yandle has done nothing above and beyond the call of duty to make his presence known.

If the Coyotes are going to come back from 3-1 in their series against L.A., they need Yandle to man up and start pressing the issue, offensively and defensively.

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