NHL Playoff X-Factor Players

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Apr 11, 2007

NHL Playoff X-Factor Players

Sabres: Maxim Afinogenov

If his broken wrist is fully healed, the electrifying winger (23 goals, 61 points) gives the Sabres even more greasy speed and yet another scoring threat. Call him insurance just in case the Islanders' defense rises to the occasion.

Islanders: Tom Poti

The veteran blueliner scored 20 points in 22 games down the stretch. His firepower will come in handy although the Isles can't hope to beat Buffalo in red light specials, they need Poti to get physical with Sabre snipers.

Penguins: Colby Armstrong

Playing in the considerable shadows of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Jordan Staal, Armstrong (12 goals, 34 points) is not likely to be closely watched. He scored only one goal and had two assists in his final eight games, but can be dangerous.

Senators: Mike Comrie

The Senators will need some punch from their second line if they want to keep up with Crosby & Co. Comrie (20 goals, 45 points), who arrived from Phoenix before the deadline, ended the season with seven points in his last five games.

Rangers: Michael Nylander

Centering New York's' top line, Nylander (26-57-85) had three goals and six points in four games against the Thrashers this season. Atlanta may be the tonic that helps him redeem last season's dismal one-point performance in the playoffs.

Thrashers: Slava Kozlov

Believe it or not, Kozlov scored more points (80) than Ilya Kovalchuk (76). If the Rangers' defense blankets Kovalchuk and Marian Hossa, the veteran winger who won two Cups with Detroit (1997, '98) will become Atlanta's most productive gun.

Devils: Travis Zajac

With Tampa Bay packing the big guns in this series, 21-year old rookie Zajac (17-25-42) will be counted on to provide energy and scoring to New Jersey's popgun offense.

Lightning: Dan Boyle

A constant threat, and the quarterback on the power play, Boyle will be the workhorse (25 to 30 minutes per game) on a shaky backline entrusted with protecting questionable goaltenders Johan Holmqvist and rookie Karri Ramo.

Red Wings: Kyle Calder

The rejuvenated 28-year-old (five goals, 14 points in 19 games with Detroit since his Feb. 26 trade), will play a key role on the second line as Henrik Zetterberg (back woes) may need time to shake off rust and Todd Bertuzzi (concussion) may miss a couple of games.

Flames: Kristian Huselius

After his breakthrough regular season (34 goals, 77 points), Huselius could make Detroit pay dearly for focusing too much attention on Jarome Iginla and Alex Tanguay.

Stars: Sergei Zubov

The wily 36-year-old is the power play QB and one of the best offensive blueliners in the league. In a series between two defense-minded teams, his scoring (12-42-54) will be crucial.

Canucks: Sami Salo

The Canucks' lack of firepower will require backliner Salo to provide some punch. The 32-year-old had a career-high 37 points in 67 games.

Wild: Niklas Backstrom

After taking over for the injured Manny Fernandez in November, Backstrom enters his first playoffs with a 23-8-6 record and 1.97 GAA. He'll have to maintain his edge if the Wild hopes to keep the potent Ducks at bay.

Ducks: Chris Kunitz

Linemate Teemu Selanne (94 points) will be the focus of Minnesota's attention, and that means Kunitz (25-35-60) will likely be free to make his presence felt.

Predators: Kimmo Timonen

Timonen is Nashville's QB at the point and main offensive threat from the backline (13 goals, 55 points), but the veteran's defense on a young blueline corps may hold the key to the series with high-powered San Jose.

Sharks: Craig Rivet

The veteran blueliner came over from Montreal to help stabilize San Jose's inexperienced defense that goes into the playoffs with rookies Matt Carle and Marc-Edouard Vlasic logging major ice time.