The Stanley Cup Playoffs are the gift that keeps on giving.
The best thing about the annual quest for the Stanley Cup is that you never know what’s going to happen. Along those lines, it’s always fascinating to see who can emerge and rise to the occasion this time of year. We’re just two weeks in and already there have been plenty of prime examples.
Here are eight unsung heroes – one from each winning team – from Round 1.
Akira Schmid – Goaltender – New Jersey Devils
After Vitek Vanecek faltered early in the series against the Rangers, the 22-year-old grabbed the crease and didn’t look back. In five appearances, Schmid posted a 4-1 record to go along with a 1.38 goals-against average, a 0.951 save-percentage and two shutouts as the Devils flipped the script after going down 2-0 in the series. What a story.
Paul Stastny – Forward – Carolina Hurricanes
The 37-year-old potted three pivotal goals for the Canes in Round 1 —including the OT/series winner in Game 6 on Long Island. With Max Pacioretty and Andrei Svechnikov done for the season and Teuvo Teravainen out indefinitely, Carolina direly needed someone to come through. And like he’s done time and time again throughout his lengthy career, Stastny stepped up to the plate and did his thing.
Laurent Brossoit – Goaltender – Vegas Golden Knights
Not only did the 30-year-old pending UFA outduel his former tandem mate Connor Hellebuyck, but it wasn’t even close. Making all five starts in Vegas' series with Winnipeg, Brossoit went 4-1 with a 2.42 goals-against average and a .915 save-percentage. Due to injury, the B.C. native only made 11 regular season appearances for the Golden Knights. With Logan Thompson and Adin Hill banged up and Jonathan Quick a shadow of his former self, Brossoit’s emergence has come at an opportune time for Bruce Cassidy and company — that’s for sure.
Klim Kostin – Forward – Edmonton Oilers
In Edmonton’s six-game series victory over Los Angeles, the power forward tallied three goals and an assist. For contextual purposes, the Oilers acquired Kostin just before the season started for Dmitri Samorukov. Suffice it is to say, Klim is him. He’s come a long way and has quickly become a fan favorite amongst Oilers Nation.
Philipp Grubauer – Goaltender – Seattle Kraken
As fate would have it, the 31-year-old re-gained his Vezina finalist form from a few years back just in time to upset his former team in Round 1. Making all seven starts for the Kraken, Grubauer tallied a 2.44 goals-against average to go along with a .926 save percentage. He was very solid and was a massive reason why Seattle won its first playoff series in franchise history.
Tyler Seguin – Forward – Dallas Stars
The 31-year-old tallied four goals and six points as Dallas put away the Minnesota Wild in six games. Dating back to last spring, Seguin now has 10 points in his past 13 Stanley Cup Playoff outings. Furthermore, the 2010 second overall pick has made the most of his time on Dallas’ top line alongside Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz. Neat story.
Matthew Knies – Forward – Toronto Maple Leafs
With three games of NHL experience under his belt before taking the sport's biggest stage, the rookie tallied three assists in five outings as the Leafs finally erased a 19-year curse. Additionally, most impressively, Knies was on the ice for all three of Toronto’s OT winners in the series. Incredibly, the 20-year-old started the series in the press box and finished it on the top line.
Brandon Montour – Defenseman – Florida Panthers
The 29-year-old followed up a breakout 73-point regular season with a five goal, eight-point output in Florida’s stunning seven-game triumph over the Boston Bruins. Most notably, Montour scored twice in Game 7 – including the tying goal with 59 seconds left in regulation – before Carter Verhaeghe sealed the deal in overtime. Simply put, the Panthers don’t win that series against a team that set the NHL regular season wins record without Brandon Montour. He was incredible.
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