NHL Playoff Predictions 2011: The Most Important Defenseman on Each Team

The 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs are well underway. Teams have either played two or three of the games in their best-of-seven series.

I thought it would be interesting to have a look at the blue-liners thus far. Which defensemen have had the biggest impact thus far, and, more importantly, who will have to step up in order for their teams to succeed?

There are D-men on this list that have missed games and others that have not necessarily been all that spectacular to start their series.

Others have been fantastic, perhaps even the best players on their teams.

Whichever the case, these players could hold the key to victory and the chance to play for the Stanley Cup.

**NOTE: This slideshow was compiled before the games scheduled for Apr.18 were played.**

Follow Jason on Twitter: @jhytel

Anaheim Ducks: Lubomir Visnovsky

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 13: Lubomir Visnovsky #17 of the Anaheim Ducks is pursued by Sergei Kostitsyn #74 of the Nashville Predators for the puck in the first period of Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs

Lubomir Visnovsky led all NHL defensemen this past regular season with 68 points.

Obviously, he frequently joins the offensive rush. He is also an integral part of the Anaheim Ducks powerplay.

In the three games played of the Ducks-Predators series, Visnovsky has only registered one powerplay assist.

The Ducks are currently trailing the series 2-1.

Visnovsky needs to get his scoring touch back for the Ducks' sake.

Boston Bruins: Zdeno Chara

Elsa/Getty Images

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 29: Zdeno Chara #33 of the Boston Bruins takes the puck 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. (Photo by E

Zdeno Chara had one heck of a regular season. His plus-33 plus/minus rating led the NHL and he chipped in with 44 points.

Unfortunately, aside from a penalty he took out of frustration, Chara was nowhere to be seen in Game 1.

If that wasn't bad enough, Chara was sidelined by a virus and dehydration for Game 2.

If  the Bruins have any chance of coming back in their series against the Montreal Canadiens and, as predicted by some, making a Stanley Cup run, they had better hope that Chara is healthy and playing as well as he did before the playoffs began.

Buffalo Sabres: Tyler Myers

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 14: Tyler Myers #57 of the Buffalo Sabres checks Jeff Carter #17 of the Philadelphia Flyers in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on April 14, 2011 in Ph

Tyler Myers, in only the second year of his NHL career, has the most responsibility of any Buffalo Sabres defensemen.

The 6'8", 21-year-old Myers plays even-strength, on the power play and on the penalty kill.

As depicted above, he also has to cover some pretty dangerous forwards (this one in particular is Jeff Carter).

Myers also has the ability to score and although he hasn't yet, there is always the threat.

Chicago Blackhawks: Duncan Keith

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 17: Duncan Keith #2 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates up the ice against the Vancouver Canucks in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center on April 17, 2011 in Chic

The Chicago Blackhawks are in quite a bind right now. Down 3-0 in their series against the Canucks, it doesn't look good.

Duncan Keith was given the difficult task of playing against the Sedin twins and Alex Burrows.

Unfortunately for the Hawks, the results have not been in Keith's favor: He is a minus-four in the series.

Other than a powerplay goal in Game 3, Keith has been contained offensively.

Detroit Red Wings: Nicklas Lidstrom

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

DETROIT, MI- APRIL 13: Nicklas Lidstrom #5 of the Detroit Red Wings skates against the Phoenix Coyotes in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Joe Louis Arena on April 13, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan.

Nicklas Lidstrom was the first-ever European-born captain to lead his team, the Detroit Red Wings, to a Stanley Cup victory in 2008.

Three postseasons later, the 41-year-old Lidstrom is still showing the hockey world why he is one of the greatest defensemen of all time.

After two games played, the Wings lead the Phoenix Coyotes 2-0 in the series. Lidstrom has two assists and is a plus-two.

Most importantly, he knows how captain his team to the league's biggest prize.

Los Angeles Kings: Drew Doughty

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 14: Patrick Marleau #12 of the San Jose Sharks, in overtime shoots on goal pass Drew Doughty #8 of the Los Angeles Kings in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the HP Pavilion

Was there any ever doubt that Drew Doughty would rebound from a somewhat disappointing regular season (by his standards, at least) in the playoffs?

The Kings' 21-year-old blue chip blue-liner made his mark on Game 2 of the Kings-Sharks series, to say the least, scoring twice and adding two assists in the Kings' 4-0 romp.

Doughty leads his team in ice time and when he is on his game, he is one of the most dangerous offensive defensemen around.

Couple that with the fact that he is matched up against some of the league's best forwards and he is irreplaceable.

Montreal Canadiens: P.K. Subban

Elsa/Getty Images

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 16: P.K. Subban #76 of the Montreal Canadiens takes the puck against the Boston Bruins in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 16, 2011 in Boston, Massachusett

Although P.K. Subban is a rookie, he sure isn't playing like one.

The electrifying defenseman leads all Montreal Canadiens' in ice-time thus far in the playoffs.

He does an incomparable job of getting under the opposition's skin and into their heads.

He will need to continue to do what he's doing and refrain from taking undisciplined penalties, a rookie mistake he was prone to in the regular season.

If he could get involved on the score sheet, it would be an added bonus to the Habs and their fans. 

Nashville Predators: Shea Weber

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 13: Shea Weber #6 of the Nashville Predators skates against the Anaheim Ducks in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on April 13, 2011 in Anaheim, California. The P

Shea Weber is an elite defenseman in the NHL. He will almost surely be a finalist for the Norris Trophy.

Thus far in the playoffs, he has shown his worth.

The Predators' captain leads his team in ice-time, he plays against the best forwards and his booming shot is one of the hardest in the league.

In the three games the Nashville Predators have played against the Anaheim Ducks, Weber has scored twice, added one assist and has a plus-2 rating.

Weber is giving Pekka Rinne a run for his money as the Preds' MVP.

New York Rangers: Marc Staal

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 17: Marc Staal #18 of the New York Rangers celebrates with teammates on the bench after Vaclav Prospal #20 scored a goal in the third period in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playof

Along with defensive partner Dan Girardi, Marc Staal has been given the task of containing the Washington Capitals top line of Nicklas Backstrom, Alex Ovechkin, and Mike Knuble (for the most part).

Do you think that's enough responsibility for the 24-year-old?

Well, if the Rangers' coaching staff didn't think he could handle it, they wouldn't have given him the job.

Staal's shutdown role will continued to be tested: if he can't succeed, nor will his team. 

Philadeplhia Flyers: Chris Pronger

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 05: Chris Pronger #20 of the Dallas Stars skates against the Philadelphia Flyers on February 5, 2011 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Flyers defeated the Stars 3-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Chris Pronger is one of the most intimidating defensemen to play against in the NHL. He is big, mean, and isn't scared to let you know that he wants to hurt you.

The Flyers acquired Pronger before last season to add not only a premier blueliner, but a leader with loads of postseason experience, as well: Pronger had both reached the Stanley Cup Finals with the Edmonton Oilers and won the Cup with the Anaheim Ducks before arriving in Philadelphia.

Pronger's leadership and experience payed off for the Flyers: they made it to the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals, and had they beaten the Chicago Blackhawks, he would have been the Conn Smythe Trophy favourite for the most valuable player in the postseason.

Unfortunately for the Flyers, Pronger's injured hand has kept him out of the first two games of their series against the Buffalo Sabres, currently tied 1-1. It has already been stated that he will not participate in Game 3.

Pronger would add an edge that would certainly lift his team. I'm sure they are eagerly awaiting his return. 

Phoenix Coyotes: Keith Yandle

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

DETROIT, MI- APRIL 13: Keith Yandle #3 of the Phoenix Coyotes shoots the puck against the Detroit Red Wings in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Joe Louis Arena on April 13, 2011 in Detroit, Mich

Keith Yandle had his breakout season this year with the Phoenix Coyotes. He scored 59 points, a great number for a defenseman.

In Game 2 of their series against the Detroit Red Wings, Yandle had three assists for his team. The 'Yotes still lost the game 4-3.

Even with his monstrous offensive output, Yandle was a minus-2 in the loss.

The minute-munching Yandle will have to play better defensively. 

Pittsburgh Penguins: Kris Letang

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 15: Steven Stamkos#91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning controls the puck as Kris Letang #58 of the Pittsburgh Penguins defends during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Consol Ene

Kris Letang is one of the best young defensemen in the league. He is an offensive threat, he eats minutes, and he is solid on the back end.

His creativity is needed if the Pittsburgh Penguins wish to advance in the playoffs without Sidney Crosby.

He wasn't much of an impact in the Pens' Game 2 against the Tampa Bay Lightning (although he was able to keep Steven Stamkos from scoring) and the result was a 5-1 drubbing.

Letang will need to step up in a big way. 

San Jose Sharks: Dan Boyle

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 26: Dan Boyle #22 of the San Jose Sharks skates with the puck during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on March 26, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Sharks defeated the Coyotes 4-1. (Photo by Christian Peter

Dan Boyle is used to helping out the San Jose Sharks' offence in the playoffs.

In 15 games played in the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Boyle registered 14 points.

He has yet to score in two games played against the Los Angeles Kings.

He leads his team in ice-time and has an even plus/minus rating. If he can add some offence to his game, it would certainly help out.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Eric Brewer

Elsa/Getty Images

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 03: Eric Brewer #2 of the Tampa Bay Lightning takes the puck in the third period against the Boston Bruins on March 3, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Bruins defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1. (Photo by E

Eric Brewer was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning from the St. Louis Blues 10 days before the 2011 trade deadline. Steve Yzerman was addressing an issue with the team's defense which had been suspect.

Brewer, after getting adjusted to his new club in the regular season, is now logging top-pairing minutes.

In Game 1 against the Penguins, he was a minus-2 as the Bolts were shut out 3-0.

In Game 2 however, Brewer was a plus-2, scored the opening goal and added two assists, The Lightning won the game by a score of 5-1.

Brewer needs to keep up the good work.

Vancouver Canucks: Christian Ehrhoff

Rich Lam/Getty Images

VANCOUVER, CANADA - MARCH 31: Goalie Roberto Luongo #1 of the Vancouver Canucks is congratulated by Christian Ehrhoff #5 after defeating the Los Angeles Kings in NHL action on March 31, 2011 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Ge

Since Alex Edler has returned to the Vancouver Canucks' lineup, Christian Ehrhoff does not have as much responsibility. His ice-time has gone down and his defensive game is not tested as much.

That gives him much more opportunity concentrate on his offense.

Ehrhoff has three points, including one goal, in the three games that Vancouver has played in the postseason.

With perhaps the deepest defensive corps in the league—including Edler, Dan Hamhuis and Kevin Bieksa—Ehrhoff can afford to focus on helping out on the score sheet.

Washington Capitals: Mike Green

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 13: Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers comes up with a first period save on Mike Green #52 of the Washington Capitals (not shown) in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs

Mike Green must be smiling.

With the emergence of the young shutdown tandem of John Carlson and Karl Alzner, Green no longer has the responsibility of going up against opposing teams' biggest offensive threats.

He can now focus on the best part of his game: scoring.

Green has registered an assists in each of the first three games of the Caps series against the New York Rangers.

His ability to join the rush and act as a fourth forward will make it very difficult on the opposition.