2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs: 10 Players Looking for Postseason Redemption

2011 was full of success stories, but there was plenty of lackluster play in the NHL this season. The 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs can be the place for the unsuccessful stories of this season to redeem themselves.

Every player struggles at times in their career, whether it’s because of injuries or lack of consistent play.

Some players have terrible regular seasons, only to turn it on in the postseason.

This list is of the players who could step up big for their teams this year in the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

10. David Legwand

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DENVER, CO - MARCH 31: David Legwand #11 of the Nashville Predators warms up prior to facing the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on March 31, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. Rinne had 27 saves as the Nashville Predators defeated the Colorado Avalanche 3

David Legwand may have missed a few games this season, but his point totals matched his averages from the last few seasons.

The problem is that the Nashville Predators needed more from him this season and he struggled mightily at the beginning of the season.

Legwand’s leadership abilities and late season success were two of the biggest reasons the Predators made the playoffs.

Predators coach Barry Trotz told the AP,

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"David has so much ability. When he is playing the way he is now, he is a very good player. In this game, he was the best player on the ice. We wouldn't be in the position we are in now if David had not stepped up."

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For the Predators to make it out of the first round, they will need the continued success of Legwand throughout the playoffs.

9. Saku Koivu

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ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 06: Saku Koivu #11 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against the San Jose Sharks at Honda Center on April 6, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

While 45 points may be disappointing in the eyes of Saku Koivu himself, he seems to be changing the way he plays the game as he gets older.

The Anaheim Ducks are one of the toughest teams in the the playoff field and Koivu looks ready to redeem himself for a season that saw him score just 15 goals and add only 30 assists.

Saku Koivu said to the OC Register,

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"Last year was a huge disappointment. We knew the potential of this team and we didn't make it. And that was the reason why I came here because I wanted to have success in the playoffs. This was the best place to be for that."

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Koivu wants to win; now's the time for the veteran to step up their play to help the team win.

8. Alex Kovalev

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 24: Alex Kovalev #72 of the Pittsburgh Penguins in action during a game against the Philadelphia Flyers on March 24, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lou Capozzola/Getty Images)

While the transition back to Pittsburgh hasn’t been the easiest for Kovalev, he seems to be rounding into playoff form.

There is a switch that some veterans, regardless of sport, can flip when it gets close to the playoffs and it looks like Kovalev has flipped it.

Kovalev has five points in his last seven games as after registering only two in his first 13 games with Pittsburgh.

With only 34 points this season, 2011 was a disappointing campaign for Kovalev, but the season that really matters is now starting and he will have a chance to redeem himself.

7. James Van Riemsdyk

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 12: James van Riemsdyk #21 of the Philadelphia Flyers sets up a screen against Ondrej Pavelec #31 of the Atlanta Thrashers on March 12, 2011 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Thrashers defeated the Flyers 5

James van Riemsdyk has had a ton of hype around him since day one in the NHL.

But he struggled at the end of last season as he learned the NHL game, struggling to make an impact during the Flyers' run to the Stanley Cup Final.

This season, he has 21 goals in his past 58 games and is coming on offensively at the right time.

Flyers coach Peter Laviolette said to NHL.com,

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"He's been really good. When his feet are moving and he's being physical and driving the way he does, good things are happening offensively for him. And that's nice to see at this time of the year."

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Van Riemsdyk seems to have figured out how to play the game effectively this season and look for more growth this postseason and into next season.

6. Tomas Holmstrom

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GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 05: Tomas Holmstrom #96 of the Detroit Red Wings sets up in front of goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov #30 of the Phoenix Coyotes during the NHL game at Jobing.com Arena on March 5, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Red Win

Tomas Holmstrom only managed 37 points this season, but will have a good chance to redeem himself this postseason.

While his numbers are down, his presence in front of the net is as consistent as his physical play.

Tomas Holmstrom told the AP,

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“I can't complain, they're coming and I'm getting the bounces. I was getting shots earlier in the season, too, but I wasn't getting the bounces.”

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The Red Wings will need Holmstrom augment his physical presence with more offensive contributions to make another run at a Stanley Cup.

5. Brandon Dubinsky

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 04: Brandon Dubinsky #17 of the New York Rangers ties the score at 3-3 at 16:12 of the third period against the Boston Bruins at Madison Square Garden on April 4, 2011 in New York City. The New York Rangers defeated the Boston Bruins

Statistically, this was the best season of Brandon Dubinsky’s young career, but there were a lot of people who predicted more from him this season.

With 54 points, Dubinsky was far from unsuccessful, but the Rangers lost Ryan Callahan for the season and they will need more production from Dubinsky.

Brandon Dubinsky told the New York Post,

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"I mean, you take care of business during the regular season, but the playoffs are your whole motivation for playing."

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If the Rangers expect to get past the Capitals in the first round, they need stellar play from Henrik Lundqvist and increased offensive production from Dubinsky.

4. Brian Gionta

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NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 02: Brian Gionta #21 of the Montreal Canadians waits for a faceoff during an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on April 2, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

Brian Gionta could be the key for the success of the Montreal Canadiens this postseason, even after a subpar regular season.

With just 46 points this season, the Canadiens need more production from their captain.

After Zdeno Chara's hit on Max Pacioretty, tensions were high between the Habs and the Boston Bruins and they should be just as high in the playoffs, if not higher.

Brian Gionta said to the Montreal Gazette when asked about the series against the Bruins,

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“It’s not going to be any more intense than any other playoff series. In the playoffs, everything gets real intense. The regular season gets thrown out. We’ll spend the next few days looking at the matchups and getting ready.”

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3. Nathan Horton

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BOSTON, MA - MARCH 29: Nathan Horton #18 of the Boston Bruins celebrates his goal in the third period against the Chicago Blackhawks on March 29, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Bruins defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 3-0. (Pho

With only 53 points in 80 games this season, Nathan Horton has four fewer points in 15 more games than last year.

Horton has increased his physical game and had a good showing in goals, but the team will need him to make the team better in all facets of the game.

With Tim Thomas in net this season though, all can be forgiven with a strong showing in the playoffs this season.

Boston Bruins head coach Claude Julien said to the Boston Herald,

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“The way he’s come around in the second half, I think his whole attitude and approach to the game has really gotten better and better. I have no doubt in my mind that he’s going to be fine because he’s playing with an attitude and that attitude has been with him for a while now. So I’m not worried about him. I think he’s ready and excited for the playoffs.”

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2. Alex Ovechkin

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WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 29: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals against the Carolina Hurricanes at the Verizon Center on March 29, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

While 85 points in 79 games is a career year for some, for Alex Ovechkin, it’s the worst season in his short career.

If the Washington Capitals want to shake the playoff failures of the past few years, the old Alex Ovechkin needs to play his best hockey of the season.

Teammate and veteran Jason Arnott said to the Washington Post,

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“This guy really really, really wants to win. I really didn’t think that he wanted to win as much as he does. This guy really wants to win, and that impressed me a lot.”

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While the Rangers and star goaltender Henrik Lundqvist will be a tough first round matchup, the Capitals have improved their defense and look to have Ovechkin at his best.

1. Ryan Miller

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BUFFALO, NY - MARCH 20: Ryan Miller #30 of the Buffalo Sabres makes a save against the Nashville Predators at HSBC Arena on March 20, 2011 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Ryan Miller may be the single biggest piece to a team success in this year’s playoffs.

The Buffalo Sabres can be offensively challenged at times and their defense will play at a low level at times. The lack of experience on the team has cost them games during the season.

Miller had a save percentage of .916 and a goals against average of 2.59, both of which are below the Vezina Award-winning level he played at last season.

ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun said,

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“Ryan Miller looks like the Vezina trophy Ryan Miller, and much like the Canadiens were able to ride their goaltending and knock off a couple top seeds last year, I think the Sabres have that ability. I'm not saying they're going to do it, but I believe the Sabres pose a real issue to whoever they end up drawing in the first round.”

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