NHL Playoffs 2011: The 5 Best Players at Each Position Through Game Three

The first round of the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs have been tremendous through game three of each series.

While no low seeded team has taken a three-game lead open their opponent, the higher seeded Vancouver Canucks and Detroit Red Wings have done so against the defending champion Chicago Blackhawks and Phoenix Coyotes, respectively.

In the other series,the Capitals, Flyers, Canadiens, Penguins and Predators all have game leads on their opponents.

For some reason, the L.A. Kings against the San Jose Sharks are still tied at one game a piece heading into game three, even though the Canucks and Blackhawks are entering their fourth game today, as well.

Unfortunately for their players, this list has been composed, because the Vancouver and Chicago players would also be at an advantage.

Here are the top five players at each position, ranked by their individual stats. 

No. 5 Center: Jason Arnott, Washington Capitals

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 15: Jason Arnott #44 of the Washington Capitals skates against the New York Rangers in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center on April 15, 2011 in Washington, DC.

Points: 3 

Goals: 1

Assists: 2

+/- : 1

TOI/g: 15:59

No. 4 Center: Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 17: Henrik Sedin #33 of the Vancouver Canucks celebrates a teammates' goal against the Chicago Blackhawks in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center on April 17,

Points: 4

Goals: 0

Assists: 4

+/- : 3

TOI/g: 17:54

No. 3 Center: Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 13: Ryan Getzlaf #15 of the Anaheim Ducks looks on against the Nashville Predators 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.

Points: 4 

Goals: 1

Assists: 3

+/- : -1

TOI/g: 21:53

No. 2 Center: Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

BUFFALO, NY - FEBRUARY 26: Pavel Datsyuk #13 of the Detroit Red Wings skates against the Buffalo Sabres at HSBC Arena on February 26, 2011 in Buffalo, New York. Detroit won 3-2 in a shootout. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Points: 5

Goals: 2

Assists: 3

+/- : 5

TOI/g: 20:15

No. 1 Center: Mike Fisher, Nashville Predators

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 15: Mike Fisher #12 of the Nashville Predators is pursued by Teemu Selanne # 8 of the Anaheim Ducks for the puck in the first period of Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda

Points: 5 

Goals: 3

Assists: 2

+/- : 2 

TOI/g: 18:25

No. 5 Left Winger: Tomas Holmstrom, Detroit Red Wings

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

DETROIT,MI- APRIL 13: Tomas Holmstrom #96 of the Detroit Red Wings attempts a wrap around on Ilya Bryzgalov #30 of the Phoenix Coyotes while Adrian Aucoin #33 of the Phoenix Coyotes defends in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2

Points: 3 

Goals: 1

Assists: 2

+/- : 3

TOI/g: 13:01 

No. 4 Left Winger: Simon Gagne: Tampa Bay Lightning

Elsa/Getty Images

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 03: Simon Gagne #12 of the Tampa Bay Lightning looks to pass in the second period against the Boston Bruins on March 3, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Points: 3 

Goals: 1

Assists: 2

+/- : 0

TOI/g: 15:45

No. 3 Left Winger: Mike Cammalleri, Montreal Canadiens

Elsa/Getty Images

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 14: Mike Cammalleri #13 of the Montreal Canadiens heads up the ice in the second period against the Boston Bruins in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 14, 20

Points: 4 

Goals: 1

Assists: 3

+/- : 0

TOI/g: 20:17

No. 2 Left Winger: Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 17: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates after he scored a second period goal against the New York Rangers in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Sq

Points: 4

Goals: 2

Assists: 2

+/- : 0

TOI/g: 22:03

No. 1 Left Winger: Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks

Rich Lam/Getty Images

VANCOUVER, CANADA - MARCH 31: Daniel Sedin #22 of the Vancouver Canucks tries to fight off the check of Trevor Lewis #22 of the Los Angeles Kings during the second period in NHL action on March 31, 2011 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC, Canada. (Photo by

Points: 5 

Goals: 3

Assists: 2

+/- : 4

TOI/g: 17:40

No. 5 Right Winger: Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

DETROIT, MI- APRIL 13: Shane Doan #19 of the Phoenix Coyotes skates 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, Michigan.(Phot

Points: 4 

Goals: 2

Assists: 2

+/- : -2

TOI/g: 21:24

No. 4 Right Winger: Radim Vrbata, Phoenix Coyotes

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

DETROIT, MI- APRIL 13: Radim Vrbata #17 of the Phoenix Coyotes skates 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, Michigan.(Pho

Points: 4 

Goals: 2

Assists: 2

+/- : -2

TOI/g: 19:55

No. 3 Right Winger: Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 13: Martin St. Louis #26 of the Tampa Bay Lightning handles the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Consol Energy Center on April 13,

Points: 4 

Goals: 3

Assists: 1

+/- : -3

TOI/g: 20:25

No. 2 Right Winger: Teemu Selanne, Anaheim Ducks

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 13: Teemu Selanne #8 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against the Nashville Predators 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. Th

Points: 4 

Goals: 4

Assists: 0

+/- : 1

TOI/g: 19:28

No. 1 Right Winger: Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 13: Corey Perry #10 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against the Nashville Predators 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

Points: 5 

Goals: 1

Assists: 4

+/- : -2

TOI/g: 23:20

No. 5 Defenseman: Shea Weber, Nashville Predators

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

Points: 3 

Goals: 2

Assists: 1

+/- : 2

TOI/g: 25:01 

No. 4 Defenseman: Keith Yandle, Phoenix Coyotes

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

DETROIT, MI- APRIL 13: Keith Yandle #3 of the Phoenix Coyotes skates 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, Michigan.(Pho

Points: 4 

Goals: 0

Assists: 4

+/- : -3

TOI/g: 26:11

No. 3 Defenseman: Marc-Andre Gragnani, Buffalo Sabres

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

UNIONDALE, NY - JANUARY 23: Marc-Andre Gragnani #17 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on January 23, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. The Sabres won 5-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Points: 4 

Goals: 0

Assists: 4

+/- : 1

TOI/g: 20:15

No. 2 Defenseman: Eric Brewer, Tampa Bay Lightning

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 15: Eric Brewer#2 of the Tampa Bay Lightning controls the puck during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Consol Energy Center on April 15, 2

Points: 4 

Goals: 1

Assists: 3

+/- : -1

TOI/g: 24:20

No. 1 Defensemen: Drew Doughty, L.A. Kings

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 8: Drew Doughty #8 of the Los Angeles Kings skates with the puck against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on April 8, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Points: 4

Goals: 2

Assists: 2 

+/- : 2

TOI/g: 27:29

No. 5 Goalie: Brian Boucher, Philadelphia Flyers

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

BUFFALO, NY - APRIL 18: Braydon Coburn #5 and Brian Boucher of the Philadelphia Flyers defend against Paul Gaustad #28 of the Buffalo Sabres in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at HSBC Arena at

W-L: 2-0

Save Percentage: .948

GAA: 1.68

Shutouts: 0 

No. 4 Goalie: Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens

Elsa/Getty Images

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 16: Carey Price #31 of the Montreal Canadiens clears 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

W-L: 2-1 

Save Percentage: .956

GAA: 1.34

Shutouts: 1

No. 3 Goalie: Michal Neuvirth, Washington Capitals

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 15: Michal Neuvirth #30 of the Washington Capitals makes the save against the New York Rangers in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center on April 15, 2011 in Wash

W-L: 2-1 

Save Percentage: .951

GAA: 1.22

Shutouts: 1

No. 2 Goalie: Jimmy Howard, Detroit Red Wings

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

DETROIT, MI- APRIL 13: Jimmy Howard #35 of the Detroit Red Wings keeps an eye on play 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

W-L: 3-0 

Save Percentage: .923

GAA: 2.33

Shutouts: 0

No. 1 Goalie: Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 17: Roberto Luongo #1 of the Vancouver Canucks makes a save against the Chicago Blackhawks in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center on April 17, 2011 in Chicago

W-L: 3-0  

Save Percentage: .944 

GAA: 1.67

Shutouts: 1

Top Performers Through Game 2: No. 2 San Jose Sharks

Mike Stobe/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - DECEMBER 08: Joe Thornton #19, Niclas Wallin #7 and Jason Demers #60 of the San Jose Sharks celebrate Ryan Clowe (not shown) first period goal against the Philadelphia Flyers on December 8, 2010 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, P

Center: Logan Couture - 1 pt - 1G, 0A, +/- : 1, TOI/g: 19:01

Left Wing: Ryan Clowe - 3 pts - 0G, 3A, +/- : 2, TOI/g: 19:41

Right Wing: Dany Heatley - 1 pt - 1G, 0A, +/- : 1, TOI/g: 18:57

Defenseman: Douglas Murray - 1 pt - 0G, 1A, +/- : 1, TOI/g: 22:58

Goalie: Antti Niemi - W-L: 1-1, Sv%: .897, GAA: 2.69, SO: 0

Top Performers Through Game 2: No. 7 L.A. Kings

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 16: Kyle Clifford #13 of the Los Angeles Kings races for the puck in front of Logan Couture #39 of the San Jose Sharks in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the HP Pavilion on

Other than Drew Doughty (No. 1 Defenseman):

Center: Michael Handzus - 1 pt - 0G, 1A - +/- : -2, TOI/g: 21:47

Left Wing: Kyle Clifford - 2 pts - 1G, 1A - +/- : 1, TOI/g: 13:25

Right Wing: Justin Williams - 2 pts - 1G, 1A - +/- : 2, TOI/g: 19:08

Goalie: Jonathan Quick - W-L: 1-1, Sv%: .962, GAA: 1.33, SO: 1