NHL Playoffs 2011: The X-Factor for All 16 Teams

Simon Cowell might be bringing his X-Factor television series to America next year, but right now, all hockey fans care about are the X-factors in the NHL playoffs.   Regular season All-Stars are scrapped into oblivion, and the boys are relegated to the kiddie table.   All that matters now are the difference makers who step up when the stakes are for real.

There are obvious choices on every team, but sometimes the most important players on a team reside on the checking line or within the depths of secondary scoring.

Without further ado, let's see who will make it or break it for their teams this postseason.

Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

BUFFALO, NY - NOVEMBER 13: Karl Alzner #27 and John Carlson #74 of the Washington Capitals celebrate Alzner's goal in the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at HSBC Arena on November 13, 2010 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Image

Washington Capitals:

There will be a lot of attention on the hired guns such as Alexander Ovechkin, Niklas Backstrom and Alexander Semin, but the real X-factors are the collection of youngsters the organization has groomed and trusted for the past few years.

After the team was eliminated last year, everyone in the hockey world said this team needed an upgrade on the blue line.  However, the biggest improvement came from within in the form of John Carlson and Karl Alzner.  They make up a dynamic pair on the back end and will be the glue that holds this new-look Capitals team together. 

If Bruce Boudreau's defense-first approach is going to pay off this year, these kids will be critical factors in their success. 

New York Rangers:

Ryan Callahan and Brian Dubinsky made up the heart and soul of this pesky Rangers team throughout much of the season, but with Callahan down and out, it will need to be a more collective effort. 

Henrik Lundqvist and Marc Staal are the backbone of this team, but if they hope to move onto the next round, the undisputed X-factor is Marian Gaborik.  

Injuries have been a big obstacle for him this season, but they need him to regain his 40-plus goal form if they hope to match game changers on the opposite side of the ice.  With his contract and expectations, the time is now for him to show his worth.

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Buffalo Sabres

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BUFFALO, NY - MARCH 05: Daniel Briere #48 of the Philadelphia Flyers and Tyler Myers #57 of the Buffalo Sabres battle for puck control at HSBC Arena on March 5, 2010 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Philadelphia Flyers

Everyone knows this roster is loaded up front.  There is no shortage of firepower that is sure to overwhelm any opposing team.  Mike Richards hasn't been the same old-school player this year that he was in years past, but guys like Claude Giroux and Jeff Carter will have no problem picking up the slack.  

The depth on defense is more impressive this year than last, and I'd take my chances with Sergei Bobrovsky or the scrap-heap Michael Leighton's of the world any day.  The true X-factor is one of the most hated but most successful defenders in NHL history—Chris Pronger. 

It's anyone's guess as to how healthy or effective he will be, but without him you can stick a fork in this squad.  They are only going to go as far as his kick-ass style and leadership will take them.

Buffalo Sabres

Conversely, the Sabres are in a similar boat as the Flyers.  They have a top-10 offense that will be more than ready to test the suspect Flyers netminding, and they have questions of their own in goal. 

Ryan Miller has not looked the same this year despite what their fans will tell you.  The key player who is going to turn the tide in this series is a defenseman of their own—Tyler Myers.  He's had an up-and-down season, but he finally regained his magnificent rookie form in the second half of the season. 

He will log huge minutes and play in all situations.  If they have any hope in hell to pull off the upset, Myers will be the central piece to that puzzle.

Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens

Boston Bruins 

There are many clear-cut choices here.  Zdeno Chara, Milan Lucic, Thomas Kaberle, to name a few.  However, the X-factor for the B's this year will be Tim Thomas.  There are two primary reasons for this. 

1. He's gone from zero to hero in the span of a year.  Last year he was watching the young phenom Tuukka Rask lead this team to a first-round upset.  Now it's Thomas' turn to show that his regular season wasn't a fluke.

2. He's never proven himself when the bullets fire for real.  Despite being a respected veteran in this league, it's put-up-or-shut-up time for Thomas.  If he falters, no one will care what his save percentage was during the season.  It will be Tuukka Time in BeanTown.

Montreal Canadiens

Do I even need to mention the Habs X-factor? 

I only have two words for you, Carey Price.

Jaroslav.

Halak.

No pressure....

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

Harry How/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 04: Victor Hedman #77 of the Tampa Bay Lightning warms up against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on November 4, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh Penguins

There is little question that Marc-Andre Fleury and Kris Letang will anchor this offensively depleted club in this series, and their production will have a direct influence on the outcome of each game. But the X-factor that I'll be watching is Jordan Staal. 

He has been thrust into a larger role this year, and the Pens will need every ounce of bloodline talent that this Staal brother has.  Up until now, he's been stuck behind Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in a Selke role, but he has the skills to be more than that. 

This could be a real coming out party for him, and his star might reach new heights with the opportunity.

Tampa Bay Lightning

I might need to break my rules and list two X-factors for the 2011 version of the Bolts. 

Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't bother to mention Steven Stamkos due to the obvious level of importance that he has to the team, but he faded in the second half of the season and there are legitimate questions about him heading into the playoffs.   Can he produce when it matters most or does he have the Jaromir Jagr gene?

The other primary X-factor will be Victor Hedman.  When he was drafted second overall in the 2009 draft, there were some scouts that had him as high as No. 1 in the months leading up to June. 

Tampa Bay desperately needed defensive help at the time and the Lightning were ecstatic that the Islanders chose Tavares first.  He's now had two full seasons to adjust to the North American game and might emerge on the scene in a huge way this postseason.  If he struggles, it might be a long summer for Steve Yzerman and company.

Vancouver Canucks vs. Chicago Blackhawks

Vancouver Canucks

The last two seasons, the playoff race came to an abrupt stop for the Canucks in the city of Chicago.  There was a myriad of problems that plagued them both years, but the main area of concern was the defense. 

Dan Hamhuis has returned from his second concussion of the season and remains a key addition to this blue line.  Alex Edler has returned from mid-season back surgery. The forwards will get their points. Luongo has enough experience under his belt, but the defense will need to prove it can handle the onslaught of high-end talent that will test their resolve.  

Edler and Hamhuis hold the keys to the Canucks success this year.

Chicago Blackhawks

At the other end of the seeding spectrum are the defending Stanley Cup champs.  Who knew they would need to become Minnesota Wild fans on the last day of the regular season?  

Now that the dust has settled, this revamped 'Hawks team comes into the playoffs with monumental questions across the board.  The obvious choice for the Blackhawks X-factor might seem like Corey Crawford, but during the Finals last year he was asked if he was prepared to play if the team needed him.  His response? 

"I'm ready."

I believe he will be OK under the bright lights.

My Chicago X-factor is Joel Quenneville.  He will need every coaching trick in the book to get this squad to upset the deep and talented President's Trophy winners.  If he can mix and match the lineups and get the most out of his role players, we could see the first big upset of the 2011 playoffs.

San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings

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RALEIGH, NC - JANUARY 29: Logan Couture #39 of the San Jose Sharks is introduced during the Honda NHL SuperSkills competition part of 2011 NHL All-Star Weekend at the RBC Center on January 29, 2011 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Gett

San Jose Sharks

Big names highlight the Sharks lineup, and they bring with them the defending champion netminder from 2010 in Antti Niemi.  Rob Blake might be gone, but the defensive corps is still loaded with depth. 

The real key to the Sharks run this year could rest on the shoulders of Logan Couture.  I refuse to call him a rookie due to his 40 games played last year, but the team has vaulted him into a prominent role and that comes with extra responsibility.  

Can he provide the necessary secondary scoring and all-around play needed to take them to the promised land? 

Los Angeles Kings

Where do we begin here?  Do the Kings really have a chance without Kopitar and Williams?  Well anything is possible when you play the chronic underachieving Sharks, but let's keep it real shall we.  

The only chance this team has is if Jonathan Quick pulls a Jaroslav Halak.  The rest is just window dressing.

Detroit Red Wings vs. Phoenix Coyotes

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 22: Keith Yandle #3 of the Phoenix Coyotes during the NHL game against the St. Louis Blues at Jobing.com Arena on March 22, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Blues 2-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Detroit Red Wings 

Henrik Zetterberg might be out for this series and who knows what other injuries will plague this aging team, but the undisputed X-factor will be Jimmy Howard. 

It wasn't too long ago that the Wings put a claim in for Nabokov.  If that seems like a distant memory, you might want to retrieve it if Howard starts letting in soft goals again.  The heat is on, and he could be the designated backup this time next year if he doesn't elevate his game.

Phoenix Coyotes

We often see players have career years that we didn't see coming.  On the Coyotes, look no further than Keith Yandle.  Some want his name included for Norris consideration.

Really?

He'll need to truly play like a Norris contender if they want a real shot in this series.  I have my popcorn ready, so let's see it happen. 

Anaheim Ducks vs. Nashville Predators

Anaheim Ducks

The impressive aspect of the late surge from Anaheim this season was the fact that they did it despite having All-Star goalie Jonas Hiller on the injured reserve list. 

In the long run, goaltending will be an X-factor, but for this series they need their top dogs to continue their dominating ways.  Corey Perry blazed through the final stretch to overtake Stamkos for the Rocket Richard Trophy and easily becomes the X-factor coming into this series. 

If the Ducks want to penetrate Pekka Rinne, then Perry will need every ounce of his 50-goal prowess.

Nashville Predators

Is there any other choice than Pekka Rinne?  

He would get my vote for the Vezina and Hart trophies, but there isn't much sense questioning his ability.  He was a rock last season as they almost ousted the Stanley Cup winning Chicago Blackhawks, but the true test of this team won't be the goaltending. 

It will be the offense. 

Sergei Kostitsyn has the highest shooting percentage in the NHL and has finally started living up to his scouting reports.  Andrei's little brother will be Nashville's X-factor as they hope to win their first playoff series in franchise history.