![]() ![]() Schenn looked like a depth addition at the deadline meant to satisfy any grit quotient the team still needed, but he’s been so much more. So by now, you’ve probably heard a lot about just how good Schenn has been during his second tour with the team that drafted him. If they’re bad, you’ll hear about it too. ![]() It’s hard for anyone to be unsung in Toronto. There were some rumors around the deadline that Soucy might be shopped and given his play during the playoffs it’s a good thing he wasn’t. His defensive ability has been strong since his days with the Wild and reached a new level this season, especially with his ability to defend the rush. We’re going to go with someone not known for scoring: Seattle’s third pair has been the team’s best during this postseason - a function of the team’s depth dominating - and Soucy’s poise next to Justin Schultz has been a big part of that. Unsung hero? For a team that has zero star players and 18 different goal scorers in these playoffs? Feels like an impossible task. The time will come for that soon and that may make him a real hero in Games 5 and 6 (and maybe beyond) rather than an unsung one. Marchessault is driving play and creating chances - he’s just not scoring himself. Those are all worthwhile numbers pointing to a strong process. He leads Vegas in expected goals, firing four at the net himself, he leads the team in expected goals percentage at 66 percent, and Vegas has outscored opponents 8-3 at five-on-five with him on the ice. But under the hood there’s a lot to like. He has just four points in nine games which ranks 10th among the team’s forwards. On the surface, it may look like Marchessault is struggling. This one didn't result in a goal but that Benn-Johnston-Dadonov line has been so good this postseason. Only Joe Pavelski has put more five-on-five shots on net/60. Overall at five-on-five, Dadonov has been on for 10 goals for and four against. With him on the ice, Dallas has lost the expected goals battle three times in 11 games and has been outscored by opponents all of … once. No player embodies the Stars’ improved depth better than Dadonov, who has scored all four of his postseason goals at five-on-five. He’s smart, versatile, a strong penalty killer and, at 36, still a strong skater. You’re probably not going to find someone who fits the “veteran role player” archetype better than Ryan. Against the Kings in the first round, he was on for 21 Oilers chances versus just seven for the Kings. With those three on the ice in Game 4, for example, the Oilers didn’t allow a shot attempt. Ryan missed the game with an illness, and he drives the bus on a solid depth line of himself, Ryan McLeod and Warren Foegele. It isn’t a coincidence that, in Game 1 against the Golden Knights, Edmonton was flat enough on balance at five-on-five to lose despite Leon Draisaitl’s four-goal game. The one-touch pass from Lundell leaves 2 Leafs with their backs to the puck. Luostarinen pick to allows Reinhart to gain the line. Reinhart delays to allow FLA to change, then stutter steps to allow two Leafs to veer into the same ice. At five-on-five, the Panthers have outscored the Bruins and Leafs 6-1 with him on the ice.Īgainst Toronto specifically, Lundell and linemates Eetu Luostarinen and Sam Reinhart have done important work. ![]() Since the puck dropped in that game, Lundell has a goal and six assists. There was no great leap forward, nor was there much to note in the postseason until Game 6 of Florida’s series against the Bruins. Lundell came into the regular season with some momentum after his 44-point rookie year, but it didn’t amount to much. He’ll carry a five-game point streak into the Eastern Conference final against either Florida or Toronto after totaling zero against the Islanders in Round 1. He also only tied for the team lead in goals, with two. In their five-game series win over the Devils, clinched on Thursday night, Martinook led Carolina in five-on-five individual scoring chances (14), individual high-danger chances (8), shots (10), points (7) and assists (5). All that zone time, at some point, needs to turn into points.Īgainst the Devils, Martinook - in a big way - was the guy. We’re as sick of bringing up Andrei Svechnikov’s injury as Canes fans are of hearing about it, but it matters. The Hurricanes were always going to need a forward or two aside from Sebastian Aho to dial up the production. Here’s who we’re singing about for each team. It’s time to put the spotlight on some of the unsung heroes of these playoffs (and this season for the 16 teams that didn’t make the cut). Sometimes it’s a guy very few would’ve expected - and that’s who we’re trying to highlight here. Sometimes the players who do that are the team’s very best guys. ![]()
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