With the 2012 playoffs looming, it is a good time to have a look at which NHL players are renowned for bringing their game to the next level.
Players like Claude Lemieux, Esa Tikkanen and Ken Linseman have offered great playoff performances over the years despite their less-than-stellar play during the regular season, while other players have failed to perform in clutch situations and never managed to win a Stanley Cup.
Yesterday I looked at the best playoff performers for each Eastern Conference team as well as players that collapse under the scrutiny and the pressure of the NHL playoffs. Today I will have a look at the Western Conference teams:
1. Vancouver Canucks:
Notable performers:
Henrik Sedin: 20 goals and 46 assists for 66 points in 90 games
Daniel Sedin: 23 goals and 39 assists for 62 points in 90 games
Notable underachievers:
Alexandre Burrows: 16 goals and 12 assists for 28 points in 58 games
Christopher Higgins: 10 goals and 9 assists for 19 points in 47 games
8. Los Angeles Kings:
Notable performers:
Mike Richards: 16 goals and 34 goals for 50 points in 63 games
Drew Doughty: 5 goals and 6 assists for 11 points in 12 games
Notable underachievers:
Jeff Carter: 13 goals and 8 assists for only 21 points in 47 games
Dustin Penner: 7 goals and 12 assists for 19 points in 40 games
2. St. Louis Blues:
Notable performers:
Jamie Langenbrunner: 33 goals and 53 assists for 86 points in 137 games, two-time Stanley Cup champion with Dallas and New Jersey
Jason Arnott: 31 goals and 41 assists for 72 points in 115 games, Stanley Cup champion with New Jersey
Notable underachiever:
Barrett Jackman: 0 goal and 1 assist for 1 point in 12 games
7. San Jose Sharks:
Notable performers:
Patrick Marleau: 52 goals and 36 assists for 88 points in 124 games
Joe Thornton: 18 goals and 64 assists for 82 points in 109 games
Notable underachievers:
Michal Handzus: 11 goals and 21 assists for 32 points in 72 games
Logan Couture: 11 goals and 7 assists for 18 points in 33 games
3. Phoenix Coyotes:
Notable performer:
Keith Yandle: 2 goals and 8 assists for 10 points in 11 games
Notable underachievers:
Ray Whitney: 19 goals and 27 assists for 46 points in 87 games
Shane Doan: 10 goals and 9 assists for 19 points in 39 games
Antoine Vermette: 4 goals and 4 assists for 8 points in 42 games
6. Chicago Blackhawks:
Notable performer:
Marian Hossa: 36 goals and 61 assists for 97 points in 127 games
Patrick Kane: 20 goals and 28 assists for 48 points in 45 games
Jonathan Toews: 15 goals and 31 assists for 46 points in 46 games
Notable underachiever:
Viktor Stalberg: 1 goal and 0 assist for 1 point in 7 games
4. Nashville Predators:
Notable performers:
Alexander Radulov: 5 goals and 3 assists for 8 points in 10 games
Notable underachievers:
Mike Fisher: 17 goals and 18 assists for 35 points in 87 games
Andrei Kostitsyn: 11 goals and 8 assists for 19 points in 41 games
Sergei Kostitsyn: 3 goals and 10 assists for 13 points in 30 games
5. Detroit Red Wings:
Notable performers:
Nicklas Lidstrom: 54 goals and 129 assists for 183 points in 258 games
Henrik Zetterberg: 49 goals and 50 assists for 96 points in 104 games
Pavel Datsyuk: 32 goals and 59 assists for 91 points in 121 games
Johan Franzen: 37 goals and 35 assists for 72 points in 83 games
Notable underachievers:
Valtteri Filppula: 17 goals and 32 assists for 49 points in 86 games
Drew Miller: 4 goals and 3 assists for 7 points in 37 games
I hope this helps you pick up your players accordingly when you prepare for your playoff hockey pools!
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Sharp has been a very good performer for the ‘Hawks in the postseason as well. His career numbers are skewed by his 1 point in 12 game performance for Philly. With Chicago he has 38 points in 46 games (21 goals, 3 game winners) and is a +10. Keith and Seabrook have a combined 53 points in 90 games and are a combined +8. Bolland also has 34 points in 43 games (3 SH goals) and a +11.
Also, I wouldn’t put him in the same category since it was only one series, but if you are going to say Stalberg is a notable underachiever for his performance in one series, it should be mentioned that Crawford had a .927 save% against Vancouver last year, 3rd best in the 2011 playoffs.