As I write this early Wednesday morning, the hockey playoffs are a mere 12 hours away.  Get hyped and stay hyped (thanks Mojo Rawley) because there is nothing quite like it.  So who are going to be the big difference makers.  All the average hockey fans now the obvious suspects like Crosby, Getzlaf and Toews.  But who are few more under the radar candidates that might not be as well known?  Well check out this version of the fives to find out.

 

5) Marc Edouard Vlasic (SJ)-  Anyone who knows hockey knows the Sharks can score.  They have some of the premier forwards in the league.  However they also have on of the leagues elite defenders anchoring the blue line in Vlasic.  9th in the league in +/-, and 2nd amongst defenseman, Vlasic is one of the most underrated defenseman in the league.  I don't know if it's because he plays on the West Coast so he doesn't get as much exposure (let's face it, Cali isn't a hockey hot bed) or if it's because he isn't a flashy scorer (only 5 goals and 19 points) but for some reason he just isn't a household name.  But if the Sharks make a deep run on the national spotlight he should get the accolades he deserves

4) Ondrej Palat (TB) Did you know that Palat led the lightning in +/- this season?  Or that he led the team in points?  Palat was 8th in the league in +/-, and at the young age of 23, he is only going to get better.  He ended the season of fire, with 4 goals and 6 points his last 5 games.  If Tampa is going to get by Montreal, there is a good chance Palat is the reason why.

3) Gustav Nyquist (DET) -  At the start of the season, the Red Wings didn't expect much out of Gustav.  In fact, he wasn't even on the NHL roster.  But after the Wings were decimated by injuries, they were forced to call up the 24 year old forward and he hasn't looked back, putting up 28 goals in 57 games with the big club, which led the team.  If Detroit is going to get by Boston, they are going to need that regular season magic to translate over to the playoffs.

2) Ryan Johansen (CMB)-  Columbus has slowly became a trendy upset pick amongst hockey experts, and although I don't necessarily agree, I understand the logic.  The Penguins have a giant question mark between the pipes, so Columbus could certainly score some goals.  And with 33 goals on the season, tied for 11th most in the league, the electric 19 year old could make himself a household name with a good series.  I'm not going to lie, I haven't watched much Blue Jackets hockey this season, but from what I have seen Johansen is a future star in this league.

1) Semyon Varlamov (COL)-  I went over all the stats for Varlamov in my Western Conference preview yesterday, but there is one stat I want to repeat.  41 wins, the most in the league.  And although there are some exceptions to the rule, many Cups have been won on the back of a goaltender.  I think there is a pretty good chance Varlamov makes the leap from good to great in the minds of the hockey public come playoffs end.

So these are my 5 guys to watch.  I hope you all enjoyed.  And my finals prediction?  I'm not as confident now as I was when I made it at the start of the season, but sticking with it.  Blues in 6 over the Rangers

Big Country
Wednesday, April 16, 2014