NHL Playoffs 2011: Ranking the Best Rookie Performances of the Postseason

When the Stanley Cup playoffs roll around, players are fighting for more than getting their team into the next round. Several players may be playing their hearts out to earn a new contract or a spot on a top line.

But some players are playing for a spot on a team of the future. They are hoping to make a strong impression on the coaching staff and their team leaders. This group of players, of course, is made up of NHL rookies who are getting their first taste of the chase for the Cup.

Not all rookies get a chance to play in the playoffs. On some squads, they practice with the team but are usually sent to the press box to watch the game from above.

However, the players in this slideshow are fortunate. They are given game action and sometimes, major responsibilities.

Here are the top performing rookies to date in the NHL playoffs. All statistics are as of the end of games on Sunday, May 8.

18. Yannick Weber, Defenseman, Montreal Canadiens

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OTTAWA, CANADA - APRIL 07: Yannick Weber #68 of the Montreal Canadiens prepares for a faceoff in a game against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place on April 7, 2011 in Ottawa, Canada. (Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images)

Weber only played in three games during the Canadiens' quarterfinal series against the Boston Bruins, but he still put up two goals and a plus-one rating.

He finished first on Montreal with a 40.0 shooting percentage (third in the league in that category), and one of his goals came on the power play.

17. Michael Sauer, Defenseman, New York Rangers

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 09: Michael Sauer #38 of the New York Rangers celebrates a second period goal by Wojtek Wolski #86 (not shown) against the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden on April 9, 2011 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Devils 5

Sauer posted just one assist over the Rangers' five-game quarterfinals series with the Washington Capitals.

However, he was getting big minutes for the Rangers. He averaged 23:16 of ice time per game, which was fifth on the Blueshirts and third among defensemen.

He was also ranked sixth with 1:48 of ice time on the penalty kill and was fourth on the team with seven blocked shots.

16. Blake Geoffrion, Left Wing, Nashville Predators

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - APRIL 28: Blake Geoffrion #5 of the Nashville Predators reacts after getting hit by Ryan Kesler #17 of the Vancouver Canucks during the third period in Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playo

Geoffrion has two assists and a plus-one rating through 11 playoff games with the Predators. Nashville is currently facing the Vancouver Canucks in the Western Conference Semifinals.

He is second on the Predators in faceoff wins with a 56.8 percent success rate. That gives him a 25-19 record, and his total is also second among rookies.

Geoffrion has hockey in his blood. His great-grandfather is Hockey Hall of Famer Howie Morenz, and his grandfather is Canadiens great Boom-Boom Geoffrion. His father Dan also played three seasons in the NHL with Montreal and the Winnipeg Jets.

15. Michal Neuvirth, Goaltender, Washington Capitals

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WASHINGTON , DC - APRIL 23: Michal Neuvirth #30 of the Washington Capitals celebrates being named the first star of the game against the New York Rangers in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the

Neuvirth was one of the best players for the Capitals during their playoff run, even though it ended way earlier than most expected.

He posted a record of 4-5 in nine playoff games and finished in the top 10 among goaltenders in save percentage (.912, ranked 10th) and goals-against-average (2.34, ranked sixth). He also posted one shutout.

14. Marcus Johansson, Center, Washington Capitals

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WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 13: Marcus Johansson #90 of the Washington Capitals skates against the New York Rangers in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center on April 13, 2011 in Washington,

Johansson ended the playoffs with six points, which was tied for third on the Capitals with Jason Arnott, Alexander Semin and Mike Green. His four assists were also third.

He ranked eighth on the Capitals with 1:58 of ice time on the penalty kill and was also fourth in scoring among rookies.

13. Jonathan Blum, Defenseman, Nashville Predators

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ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 15: Jonathon Blum #7 of the Nashville Predators skates against the Anaheim Ducks in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on April 15, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (

Blum currently has two assists and a plus-one through 11 playoff games as the Predators fight to stay alive against the Canucks.

He is eighth on the team with 18:56 of ice time and seventh with 2:49 of ice time on the power play. In addition, he is third on the Preds with 21 blocked shots.

12. Bryan Bickell, Left Wing, Chicago Blackhawks

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CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 24: Bryan Bickell #29 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates onto the ice before Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Vancouver Canucks at the United Center on April 24, 2011 i

Bickell was tied for third on the Blackhawks roster with four points in seven playoff games. He shared the spot with team captain Jonathan Toews.

He was also tied with Niklas Hjalmarsson with a plus-four rating, and he accomplished this despite playing in only five games in the playoffs.

Bickell showed a physical edge in the playoffs, finishing third on the team with 22 hits.

11. Corey Crawford, Goaltender, Chicago Blackhawks

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - APRIL 26: Goalie Corey Crawford #50 of the Chicago Blackhawks makes a pad save against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period in Game Seven of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on Apr

Crawford finished his first postseason run with a record of 3-4 to go with a 2.21 GAA and .921 save percentage.

His GAA and save percentage were both ranked fourth among playoff goaltenders. In addition, he posted a shutout in Game 5 against Vancouver in the Western Conference Quarterfinals.

10. Cam Fowler, Defenseman, Anaheim Ducks

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ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 15: Cam Fowler #4 of the Anaheim Ducks celebrates Teemu Selanne's goal against the Nashville Predators in the first period of Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on

Cam Fowler was in a unique spot on this list. Not only was he in his first playoff run, he had broken into the Ducks lineup after being drafted last summer.

Fowler led Anaheim defensemen with four points in six playoff games and posted a plus-one rating. He was fourth in total ice time and second among defensemen with 22:13 per game. In addition, he was third with four minutes of power play ice time per game.

9. Trevor Lewis, Center, Los Angeles Kings

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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 19: Trevor Lewis #22 of the Los Angeles Kings celebrates a goal by Willie Mitchell #33 in the first period against the San Jose Sharks in game three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs

Lewis was second on the Kings in scoring with four points and three assists. He was tied with Ryan Smyth and Brad Richardson in helpers. 

He also posted an even rating and was fourth on Los Angeles with 3:01 of ice time on the penalty kill.

The Kings were eliminated by the San Jose Sharks in six games in the Western Conference Quarterfinals. 

8. Ben Smith, Right Wing, Chicago Blackhawks

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CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 24: Ben Smith #57 of the Chicago Blackhawks is introduced to the crowd as 'the star of the game' after scoring the winning goal against the Vancouver Canucks in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanl

Smith had three goals in seven games in his first playoff run and was tied for second in goals with Patrick Sharp. 

He scored the game-winning goal in Game 6 against the Canucks to force Game 7. Although the Hawks fell short, that goal will be part of a short but memorable playoff run for Chicago.

Smith is also tied for third with Kyle Clifford of the Los Angeles Kings in rookie goal scoring.

7. Tyler Ennis, Left Wing, Buffalo Sabres

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 26: Tyler Ennis #63 of the Buffalo Sabres controls the puck against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on April 26, 2011 in

Ennis was tied for fourth on the Sabres with Rob Niedermayer and Jason Pominville for four points in seven playoff games. He equaled Nathan Gerbe for second with two playoff goals.

He posted a plus-four rating, which was tops on Buffalo.

Ennis finished the playoffs tied for sixth in rookie scoring

6. Kyle Clifford, Left Wing, Los Angeles Kings

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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 19: Kyle Clifford #13 of the Los Angeles Kings celebrates after a goal in the first period of game three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the San Jose Sharks during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Cente

Clifford was tied with Justin Williams for the Kings' goal scoring lead, as both put up three goals this postseason.

He was also tied for the points lead with Ryan Smyth, Brad Richardson and Jack Johnson. Furthermore,  he won 50 percent of his faceoff wins to be ranked fourth in that category.

5. John Carlson, Defenseman, Washington Capitals

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TAMPA, FL - MAY 03: John Carlson #74 of the Washington Capitals celebrates his goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at St Pete Times Forum on May 3, 2011 in Tampa

Carlson had three points in nine playoff games, which was second among Capitals defensemen. His points total was third among rookie defensemen.

He led the team with 24:23 of ice time per game and was fifth with 2:38 of ice time on the penalty kill. His average ice time was second among rookies.

4. Logan Couture, Center, San Jose Sharks

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DETROIT - MAY 6: Logan Couture #39 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates a first period goal while playing the Detroit Red Wings in Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 6, 2011 at Joe Louis Arena in De

Couture, a finalist for the 2011 Calder Trophy, has continued to be solid in the Sharks' playoff run.

He is tied for second on the team in playoff scoring with nine points, a spot he holds with veteran Joe Thornton. He is also tied with Dany Heatley for three goals, which is second on the Sharks.

Couture's plus-five rating is ranked third, and he is second among rookies in scoring.

3. Marc-Andre Gragnani, Defenseman, Buffalo Sabres

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BUFFALO, NY - APRIL 20: Marc-Andre Gragnani #17 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at HSBC Arena at HSBC Arena on April 20, 2011 in Buf

Gragnani had seven points in seven playoff games, including one power-play goal. He was the Sabres' scoring leader in the postseason. His points total also puts him third among defensemen and all rookies. 

He was third on Buffalo with 21:53 of ice time per game and second with 4:32 on the power play.

2. P.K. Subban, Defenseman, Montreal Canadiens

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MONTREAL, CANADA - APRIL 26: P.K. Subban #76 of the Montreal Canadiens skates around during a TV timeout in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Boston Bruins during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre on April 26

Subban finished the postseason with four points in seven playoff games, which was tied for third on the Canadiens with Scott Gomez.

He has led the Habs in all categories of ice time, logging 28:33 overall, 4:02 on the power play and 2:38 on the penalty kill.

These totals are also first among rookies.

1. Brad Marchand, Center, Boston Bruins

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BOSTON, MA - MAY 06: Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins takes the puck in the third period against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 6, 2011 in Bosto

Marchand has 11 points through 11 playoff games so far, which leads all rookies and is second on the Bruins.

He is seventh in the NHL with five goals and shares Boston's goal-scoring lead with Nathan Horton and David Krejci. His goal total also leads all rookies.

Furthermore, his 17:59 of ice time per game is eighth on the Bruins, and his plus-nine rating is second overall in the NHL.