2011 NHL Playoffs: Krejci, Bergenheim and an Unsung Hero for Each Playoff Team

These guys are not Zdeno Chara, Roberto Luongo or Steven Stamkos, but they had a significant impact on their team in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

When the superstar forwards get shut down, these forwards come in and score.

When the superstar defensive pairs are off the ice, these defensemen guys keep the puck out of the net.

They may not have signed massive contracts or see their number in the stands, but they get the job done when called upon.

The following is an unsung hero for each playoff team.

New York Rangers: Wojtek Wolski

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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 01: Wojtek Wolski #86 of the New York Rangers against the Buffalo Sabres at Madison Square Garden on March 1, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Outmatched by the Washington Capitals in the first round, it was hard to find a clear-cut unsung hero for the New York Rangers in the first round.

Wojtek Wolski, however, looked comfortable with the Blueshirts all season after arriving from Phoenix in a midseason trade.

The long-time Colorado Avalanche player was dealt to the Coyotes midseason in the 2009-10 season.

He may remain in New York after tallying six goals and 19 points in 37 games with the Rangers.

He had a goal and two assists against Washington.

His three points were tied for a team high.

Chicago Blackhawks: Michael Frolik

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CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 19: Michael Frolik #67 of the Chicago Blackhawks salutes the crowd after a win over the Vancouver Canucks in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center on April 19, 2

For the most part, Chicago's stars showed up in the first round and the team almost recovered from a 0-3 deficit to Vancouver.

Dave Bolland could have been chosen here (he had six points in four games), but Michael Frolik is notable because of his upside.

Frolik was a highly-regarded winger in South Florida before he was dealt from the Panthers to the Blackhawks midway through the season.

The Czech forward had two goals and three assists in the series.

After scoring 20-plus goals in his first two seasons in Florida, Frolik only had 11 goals this season.

His playoff performance, however, indicates that he'll have a rebound year for the Hawks next season.

Buffalo Sabres: Marc-Andre Gragnani

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 22: Marc-Andre Gragnani #17 of the Buffalo Sabres controls the puck against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on April 22,

Two defensemen, Tyler Myers and Marc-Andre Gragnani, led the Sabres in scoring in the playoffs with six and seven points, respectively.

Myers is well-known around the league for winning the Calder Trophy last year and being the tallest building in Buffalo.

Gragnani, however, only played in nine regular season games, registering a goal and two assists.

He looked solid in the playoffs, scoring a goal and assisting on six goals.

He should be on the opening-day roster for the Sabres next year.

Los Angeles Kings: Kyle Clifford

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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

Kyle Clifford is known more for his fighting ability.

He racked up 141 minutes as an enforcer for the Kings this season.

However, he only had seven minutes in the box during the postseason against San Jose and netted three goals.

In the games he scored, he only took three shots.

In Game 5, he netted the winner.

Montreal Canadiens: Yannick Weber

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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)

For the most part, Montreal's superstars showed up even though the team lost the series.

Yannick Weber only played in three games, but scored twice from the blue line.

That was twice as many as he scored in 41 regular season games.

Phoenix Coyotes: Radim Vrbata

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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

Radim Vrbata has spent his entire career as a journeyman, but the peripatetic winger came up big for the 'Yotes in the playoffs.

He had five points in four games even though his team was swept.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Arron Asham

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TAMPA, FL - APRIL 18: Arron Asham #45 of the Pittsburgh Penguins shoots and scores against Goaltender Dwayne Roloson #35 of the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the St. P

While Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were watching from the press box, the Penguins did an admirable job of filling in for them.

Nobody stood out more than Arron Asham, an import from across the state in Philly.

The forward netted three goals in seven games, leading the team in that category.

He only had five goals in 44 regular season games.

Anaheim Ducks: Cam Fowler

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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

Passed over by 11 teams in last year's draft, Cam Fowler has thrived under Randy Carlyle's tutelage.

He netted 10 goals (40 points) during the regular season and had a goal and three assists in the postseason.

If this man's name isn't a household name in the OC, it soon will be.

Washington Capitals: Jason Arnott

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WASHINGTON , DC - APRIL 23: Jason Arnott #44 of the Washington Capitals looks on during a face off against of the New York Rangers in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Verizon Center on Apri

Alex Ovechkin led the team in scoring, Alexander Semin netted four and Marcus Johansson emerged as a young star.

However, New Jersey import Jason Arnott was solid for the Caps in yet another disappointing playoff series.

He only had one goal, but his five assists and plus-four rating indicate that he helped the team on most of his shifts, and I can only imagine the wily old vet was a great locker room presence.

Nashville Predators: Joel Ward

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - APRIL 28: Joel Ward #29 of the Nashville Predators skates during Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Vancouver Canucks during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 28, 2011 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC, C

In Nashville, where Arnott had previously served as captain, Joel Ward emerged as a star.

Behind his team-highs in goals (seven), assists (six) and points (13), Nashville to the first second-round appearance in franchise history.

A rare Canadian college hockey player who joined the Minnesota Wild as a free-agent signing in 2006, Ward is a late-bloomer who could have a big role in Nashville next year.

Philadelphia Flyers: James Van Riemsdyk

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BOSTON, MA - MAY 06: James van Riemsdyk #21 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates in warmups prior to his game against the Boston Bruins in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 6, 2011 in

A lot has been expected of James van Riemsdyk, who was drafted second overall behind Patrick Kane in the 2007 entry draft.

van Riemsdyk's coming-out party happened in the playoffs this year, when he tied Danny Briere with a team-high seven goals.

The UNH product will be expected to play a bigger role for the Flyers next year.

Detroit Red Wings: Darren Helm

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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 12: Darren Helm #43 of the Detroit Red Wings in action against the San Jose Sharks in Game Seven of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at HP Pavilion on May 12, 2011 in San Jose, California. (Ph

Almost everyone on the Red Wings' roster is a household name, but Darren Helm is justified in being awarded as Detroit's unsung hero.

The only player to win a Stanley Cup before his rookie year, Helm scored the game-winner in Detroit to stave off the Sharks' sweep and began a three-game win streak for the Wings before they lost Game 7 in Northern California.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Sean Bergenheim

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TAMPA, FL - MAY 04: Sean Bergenheim #10 of the Tampa Bay Lightning scores at 4:41 of the second period against the Washington Capitals in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the St Pete Times Forum o

Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier navigated the upstart Lightning through the playoffs, but Sean Bergenheim came through in the postseason for Tampa.

His nine goals were closer to his regular season total (14 in 80 games played) than many expected him to have, and his game-winner in Pittsburgh put the team into the second round.

Bergenheim, an offseason pickup from the Islanders, should be part of the plans in Central Florida going forward.

San Jose Sharks: Ryane Clowe

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - MAY 24: Ryane Clowe #29 of the San Jose Sharks plays the puck along the end boards in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals against the Vancouver Canucks during the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Arena on May 24, 2011 in Van

On a team with the Team Canada line (Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley) and an emerging star in Logan Couture, Ryane Clowe can easily get lost in the mix.

However, with his physical play and scoring touch, Clowe made a major impact in the playoffs.

Despite having a shoulder injury that prevented him from putting on his own sweater later in the postseason, Clowe continued to play physically and produce on the ice.

Boston Bruins: David Krejci

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BOSTON, MA - MAY 27: David Krejci #46 of the Boston Bruins celebrates their 1 to 0 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 27, 2011 in Boston, Massachuse

After only scoring 13 goals in 75 regular season games, David Krejci has three game-winners, a hat trick and 10 goals in the postseason.

He should make a big impression for Boston in the finals, which start this Wednesday.

Vancouver Canucks: Kevin Bieksa

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - MAY 18: Kevin Bieksa #3 of the Vancouver Canucks acknowledges the fans after Game Two of the Western Conference Finals against the San Jose Sharks during the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Arena on May 18, 2011 in Vancouver, Brit

After scoring only six goals in 66 games played, everything has lined up for Kevin Bieksa in the playoffs, who has five goals in 18 postseason games.

He has been responsible in his own end, too, with a solid plus-10 rating to go with his scoring.