NHL Playoffs 2012: 9 Grinders That Will Shine in This Year's Playoffs

A grinder is typically a bottom-six forward who does the dirty work that is both unpopular and unpleasant. Their role on the team is invaluable, providing energy, grit, toughness and sometimes enforcement. These role players were never popularized more than with the "Grind Line" in the mid-1990's. Kris Draper centering a line with Kirk Maltby and Darren McCarty (pictured) was critical to the Detroit Red Wings' success and subsequent Stanley Cup victories.

They were counted on to inject life into a roster laden with stars and often helped provide the bonus of some timely scoring as well. A career grinder, McCarty scored the deciding goal in the Wings' Stanley Cup-clinching goal in 1997. It was a thing of beauty that surprised everyone, including McCarty.

Ironically, it is the Red Wings' lack of an effective grinder(s) that has contributed to their current playoff quandary. Injured center Darren Helm filled that role quite well centering the third line with break-neck speed and hitting everything in sight. There's no way of knowing if Helm's presence could swing the series the other way, but his absence leaves a hole in the lineup that Detroit has been unable to fill.

When you look at the scoring leaders in this year's playoffs, the list is topped mostly with Penguins and Flyers simply because they have been playing with traffic cones in goal. What you also see are some unfamiliar names near the top of the list. Playoff hockey, except for the Pittsburgh/Philadelphia series, means tighter checking, less scoring, more hitting and total sacrifice for the team.

With the perception of less room on the ice for the skill players, naturally, the grinders find themselves on the score sheet more often. The inherent work ethic and attitude of the third and fourth liners is a perfect match for the playoffs.

Here's a list of nine grinders that will shine in the playoffs.

Justin Abdelkader

Justin Abdelkader has found himself doing the work of two men in the Red Wings' first-round matchup. With Darren Helm done for the playoffs, the Wings' third-liner finds himself centering the third line. A natural left winger, Abdelkader always skates hard and uses the body in the corners.

Unfortunately for Detroit, Abdelkader has been paired with players who don't attack the ice with the same gusto. While Mike Babcock has never been shy about changing his lines up, he would be best served to use Abdelkader on a line where he's not being asked to be the only checker.

The Red Wings find themselves in a deep hole heading into Game 5, and they will need to match Nashville's energy. No better place to find a spark than on the third line with Justin Abdelkader.

Matt Cooke

Though it seems almost silly to put a Pens player on the list at this point, if Pittsburgh can rally, Cooke will play a major role. Known most for his cheap, often dirty play, Cooke has kept himself off of the league radar and had himself a nice little season.

While he has avoided taking the gratuitous head shot and suspensions, Cooke still grinds with the best of them. He has the hands for a timely goal and will always finish a (legal) check. As you can see from the photo above, he is also a huge pest to opponents and will be counted on to continue to annoy the Flyers as Pittsburgh tries to stay alive.

Dave Bolland

The Blackhawks' third-line center is a faceoff specialist and a premier checking forward. While it was a disappointing season for the Hawks, as they battled injuries, they are well engaged with the Coyotes in round one. The Hawks will look to the solid two-way forward to shut down Phoenix's top lines and possibly pick up some scoring slack left by injured Marian Hossa.

Bolland matched his career high with 19 goals this season and has meshed well with Brian Bickell and rookie Andrew Shaw. Though Shaw is currently serving game two of his three-game suspension, Bolland will have Michael Frolik on his right wing for the next two games.

Antoine Vermette

Another trade deadline deal saw  Antoine Vermette move from purgatory in Columbus to the Pacific Division champion Phoenix Coyotes. Vermette has had an enigmatic career and isn't a typical grinder. He doesn't throw a ton of hits or block a lot of shots. He was a top-six forward in Ottawa and Columbus before coming to Phoenix, and has shown some really good hands at times.

His role in Phoenix is to control faceoffs and add speed and skill to the Coyotes' second/third line. He is a superb penalty killer and a great checking forward. He is ideally suited to match up against the top lines of Chicago. Vermette has already contributed three goals, as Phoenix has an early jump on the Blackhawks, 2-1.

Paul Gaustad

Gaustad was on everybody's trade wish list in February before landing in Music City. He is a solid two-way forward who is great in the faceoff circle and throws his big body all over the ice. He has been a particular annoyance to Detroit's top two lines, as the Wings' high-powered offense has failed to impress.

The 6'5", 220 lb. forward has also chipped in at the other end of the ice with a goal and an assist in the first four games. With Nashville in the driver's seat, Gaustad will be asked to continue his solid two-way play. The opportunistic Predators can seal their series with a win Friday night in front of a raucous home crowd.

Max Talbot

You always hear about the type of guy that you hate to play against, but would love to have on your team. The Philadelphia Flyers took that sentiment literally, signing Talbot away from their rival Pittsburgh Penguins. Ironic that the two teams are having such a fun first-round matchup and Talbot has played a huge role in helping the Flyers get a 3-1 series lead.

With video game-like goal scoring, Talbot has picked his spots with timely goals, including two shorthanded tallies. While Talbot hasn't been engaging his former teammates in any extracurricular activities on the ice, the Penguins clearly miss him on their side of the rink.

Brian Boyle

While his wicked-awesome moustache endears him to any list about anything, Boyle is the prototypical grinder. The Rangers' third-line center has the size (6'7", 244 lbs.) and the chip on his shoulder to be annoying to opponents, and even their fans. Boyle has struck a chord in Canada's capital city, with the crowd chanting his name derisively every time he hit the ice.

With a nose for the net and for the corners, Boyle's stick has been as valuable as his shoulders and fists in a surprisingly hard-fought series. With three goals in four games, Boyle will be a key for the Rangers as their series now becomes a best of three.

Ryane Clowe

Ryane Clowe seems to have a bit of an identity crisis. He's a top-six forward with a grinder's brain. He has the potential to light it up on the scoreboard, but his prickly disposition always has him stirring up some drama. He's a big body that loves to hit and drop the gloves, but the Sharks will need his stick if they want to go anywhere in the playoffs this year.

It's been a disappointing season in San Jose so far, but a strong playoff run will make their fans forget an underacheiving regular season. Clowe was a key to last season's run to the conference finals; he will be counted on if San Jose wants to get to the next level.

Dustin Brown

The Kings captain was the subject of deadline trade rumors due to the Kings and his poor offensive output. While Brown stayed in Los Angeles, the Kings made some other moves and snuck into the eighth seed in the Western Conference for a date with the league-leading Vancouver Canucks.

Typically, the guy with the "C" on his jersey isn't classified as a "grinder," but I would consider Dusty Brown an elite grinder. He is typically among the league leaders in hits and shots, and as you can see in the picture above, almost always gets his nose dirty.

Brown is enjoying his third trip to the playoffs, and the Kings are glad to have kept him. LA currently leads the series 3-1.

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