1 Player to Watch from Each NHL Playoff Team
The 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs begin Wednesday. Fans and pundits closely watch the best players on each club to see which stars rise to the fore. Several, such as Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby and Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, will receive more scrutiny than others.
Some, such as Crosby, are proven performers who will be looked upon to carry their clubs to championship glory. Others with limited playoff experience, such as Bobrovsky, will be expected to continue their strong regular-season performances in the postseason.
Not every player worth watching is a top star. Some, such as Anaheim Ducks right wing Patrick Eaves, are secondary players expected to fill important roles for their clubs throughout the playoffs.
Here's a look at the one player to watch from each team in the 2017 NHL playoffs.
Anaheim Ducks vs. Calgary Flames
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Ducks player to watch: Patrick Eaves
Acquired by the Ducks on Feb. 24 in a trade with the Dallas Stars, Eaves was already enjoying a career season before the move. In 59 games with the Stars, he reached career highs in goals (21) and points (37). His strong play continued with the Ducks, tallying 11 goals and 14 points in 20 games for Anaheim.
Brought in to bolster the Ducks' scoring punch, Eaves delivered over the remainder of the regular season. He must do the same in the 2017 playoffs. While he has 76 postseason games on his resume, he's managed only 19 points. Eaves will face pressure to maintain this season's goal-scoring pace.
Flames player to watch: Brian Elliott
Acquired by the Calgary Flames last summer from the St. Louis Blues, Brian Elliott had an up-and-down season. He struggled through the first half but regained his form by midseason. From Feb. 21 to March 27, he won 13 of 14 starts, including a streak of 11 straight. That effort helped the Flames secure a playoff berth.
Elliott's performance appeared to flag in his final five regular-season appearances. His strong goaltending carried the Blues to the Western Conference Final last spring, and the Flames need him to regain that form if they're to upset the Ducks.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Nashville Predators
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Blackhawks player to watch: Corey Crawford
On a club loaded with stars, Corey Crawford tends to be overlooked for his playoff performance. Despite backstopping the Blackhawks to Stanley Cup titles in 2013 and 2015, the 32-year-old goaltender doesn't seem to get the respect he deserves. He always elevates his game come playoff time.
Crawford's record speaks for itself. His career postseason goals-against average (2.26) and save percentage (.920) numbers are better than his career regular-season stats (2.37 and .918 respectively). He usually bounces back quickly from bad games. While Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Artemi Panarin and Duncan Keith will grab the playoff spotlight, Crawford will be crucial to their championship hopes.
Predators player to watch: Viktor Arvidsson
An NHL sophomore, Viktor Arvidsson emerged as a star in his own right with the Nashville Predators. The 24-year-old left wing finished the regular season as their joint-leading scorer, tied with Ryan Johansen with 61 points. His 31 goals tied him with Filip Forsberg as their top goal scorer.
Arvidsson also made his NHL postseason debut last year, collecting two points in 14 games as a depth forward. His splendid regular-season play places him under a brighter spotlight in the 2017 playoffs. The Preds need him at his best to upset the favored Blackhawks.
Edmonton Oilers vs. San Jose Sharks
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Oilers player to watch: Connor McDavid
Only 20, Connor McDavid quickly established himself as a superstar during his sophomore NHL season. He's the Edmonton Oilers' leading scorer (30 goals, 70 assists, 100 points) and winner of the Art Ross Trophy as the league's points leader. The youngster is the main reason the Oilers reached the playoffs for the first time since 2006.
McDavid now faces the challenge of his first NHL playoffs. All eyes will be upon the young Edmonton captain to see how he handles the heightened intensity and physical play of postseason competition. How well he adjusts could determine how far the Oilers go this spring.
Sharks player to watch: Martin Jones
Martin Jones' solid goaltending played a key role in the San Jose Sharks securing a playoff berth last season. He was also instrumental in their march to the 2016 Stanley Cup Final. He won 14 postseason games, sporting a 2.16 goals-against average and .923 save percentage.
Jones struggled a bit over the final games of the regular season. While he finished the campaign with 35 wins, his 2.40 GAA and .912 save percentage were well below his gaudy 2016 playoffs numbers. He must rediscover that form if the Sharks hope to make a return trip to the Final.
Minnesota Wild vs. St. Louis Blues
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Wild player to watch: Devan Dubnyk
Since joining the Minnesota Wild in a trade from the Arizona Coyotes midway through 2014-15, Devan Dubnyk has ranked among the NHL's top goaltenders. He was a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2015 and finished this season among the league leaders in wins (40), goals-against average (2.25), save percentage (.923) and shutouts (five). For the third straight season, he's backstopped the Wild into the playoffs.
Dubnyk struggled down the stretch, winning only six of the 17 games he appeared in after March 2. In just seven of those games, his save percentage rose above .910. His limited postseason record leaves much to be desired. He's won only six of 16 playoff starts, with a 2.84 GAA and a save percentage of .896. He must put forth a better effort or the Wild won't get past the Blues.
Blues player to watch: Vladimir Tarasenko
Alex Pietrangelo may be captain of the St. Louis Blues, but this is Vladimir Tarasenko's team. With 39 goals and 75 points in 82 games, he led the Blues in scoring for the third straight season. The 25-year-old right wing was also among the league leaders in goals and points. He's firmly established as the team's biggest star.
As an assistant captain, Tarasenko's taken on a larger leadership role with the Blues. With 26 points in 33 playoff games, he's a proven performer. However, he struggled at times during the Blues' run to the 2016 Western Conference Final. A more consistent effort will be expected of Tarasenko against the Wild.
Montreal Canadiens vs. New York Rangers
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Canadiens player to watch: Alexander Radulov
Alexander Radulov finished second on the Montreal Canadiens in scoring, with 54 points in 76 games. The 30-year-old played a significant role in the Habs' return to the playoffs after missing the cut in 2015-16. He faces his first NHL playoff action since 2012. Radulov has only limited postseason experience, netting 14 points in 18 games.
With 2.72 goals for per game, the Canadiens enter the 2017 playoffs among the lowest-scoring teams. Their production must improve if they hope to win their first championship since 1993. Radulov will be expected to take a lead role for the Habs this spring.
Rangers player to watch: Henrik Lundqvist
For years, Henrik Lundqvist was the New York Rangers' reliable starting goaltender. This season saw him win 30 games for the 11th time in his career. He has a solid resume in the playoffs, sporting a career 2.28 goals-against average and .921 save percentage.
This season, however, wasn't good for Lundqvist. Despite winning 31 games, he has a 2.74 GAA and .910 SP, well below his career averages (2.32 and .920 respectively) in those categories. He also played poorly in last year's playoffs. For the Rangers to stage a Cup run, King Henrik must regain his once-sterling form.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
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Penguins player to watch: Sidney Crosby
Holder of the Conn Smythe Trophy after leading the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Stanley Cup last spring, Crosby was once again their best player this season. The 29-year-old led them in goals (44) and points (89). He also won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy as the league's leading goal scorer for the second time.
Crosby and his fellow Penguins will find it difficult to repeat as champions this spring. Forwards Evgeni Malkin, Chris Kunitz and Carl Hagelin and defenseman Kris Letang are sidelined by injuries. As the Penguins captain, it's up to Crosby to lead his banged-up team in defense of their title.
Blue Jackets player to watch: Sergei Bobrovsky
Winner of the Vezina Trophy in 2013, Bobrovsky is on pace to win the award again this season. The 28-year-old led the league in goals-against average (2.06) and save percentage (.931). He's also among the leaders in wins (41) and shutouts (seven). His stellar goaltending played a key role in the Columbus Blue Jackets reaching the playoffs this season.
Bobrovsky has only 13 games of playoff experience. His record (two wins and six losses in nine starts) and career stats (3.90 GAA, .890 SP) pale in comparison to his regular-season numbers. For the Blue Jackets to defeat the Penguins, Bobrovsky must put his previous poor postseason outings behind him.
Ottawa Senators vs. Boston Bruins
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Senators player to watch: Erik Karlsson
One of the league's best defensemen, Erik Karlsson is a two-time winner of the James Norris Memorial Trophy. With 71 points in 77 games, the Ottawa Senators captain led his club in scoring for the fourth consecutive season. He's the offensive engine that drove his club into the 2017 postseason
As the playoffs approach, Karlsson is hampered by a foot injury. On April 7, the Ottawa Citizen's Don Brennan reported Senators general manager Pierre Dorion expects his captain will be ready for the playoffs. It remains to be seen how the injury might affect Karlsson's play. If it's more serious than reported, it could prove a significant blow to the Sens' chances of advancing past the first round.
Bruins player to watch: Zdeno Chara
The 40-year-old Zdeno Chara may be long in the tooth, but he remains the Boston Bruins' best defenseman. The longtime Bruins captain led his club in time on ice per game (23 minutes and 19 seconds). He was second in blocked shots (140) and points for Bruins' blueliners (29) and finished third in hits, with 130.
Chara has considerable playoff experience, but he's also lost a step and isn't as dominant a physical presence as he once was. With Torey Krug and Brandon Carlo nursing injuries, he could be shouldering more of the defensive workload in the opening round.
Washington Capitals vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
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Capitals player to watch: Kevin Shattenkirk
On Feb. 27, the Washington Capitals acquired Kevin Shattenkirk from the St. Louis Blues. An unrestricted free agent in July, the 28-year-old was brought in to bolster the Capitals' blue-line depth for the upcoming playoffs. A skilled puck-moving defenseman, Shattenkirk already had 42 points in 61 games with the Blues. In 19 games with the Capitals, he netted 14 points.
The upcoming postseason is crucial for the Capitals and Shattenkirk. He'll be expected to play a key role in helping them reach the Stanley Cup Final. A solid playoff effort will also bolster his value in the free-agent market.
Leafs player to watch: Auston Matthews
In just his first NHL season, Auston Matthews was the prime reason behind the once-moribund Toronto Maple Leafs reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2013. The 19-year-old led the Leafs in goals (40) and points (69), setting franchise records in both categories. He's also the league's rookie scoring leader.
Matthews faces a much stiffer challenge in his first NHL playoff round. As the Leafs' top scorer, the Capitals will put extra emphasis on neutralizing his effectiveness. He'll face more defensive scrutiny than he did in the regular season. How he adjusts will be crucial as the Leafs attempt to upset the favored Capitals.
Player and team stats via NHL.com. Injury info via TSN.
