{"id":77453,"date":"2020-06-06T15:47:24","date_gmt":"2020-06-06T19:47:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=77453"},"modified":"2020-06-06T15:47:24","modified_gmt":"2020-06-06T19:47:24","slug":"important-players-in-the-eastern-conference-play-in-round","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2020\/06\/06\/important-players-in-the-eastern-conference-play-in-round\/","title":{"rendered":"Important Players in the Eastern Conference Play-In Round"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the NHL gears up for a return to play following an extended pause from COVID-19, we have an unusual playoff format. A total of 24 teams will participate when play resumes, with 16 of them participating in the play-in round. As teams that were previously out of the playoffs play for a chance at the Cup, they will need big-time plays from key players. As the playoffs approach, we identify a player on each team in the play-in round who needs to make an impact. Today we look at the Eastern Conference Play-in round.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Important Figures in the Eastern Conference Play-In Round<\/h2>\n

#5 Pittsburgh Penguins vs #12 Montreal Canadiens<\/span><\/h3>\n

This could wind up being one of the most interesting playoff matchups as two storied franchises go head-to-head. The Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> could have a healthy Jake Guentzel<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0back in the lineup to add to an already potent offence. The Montreal Canadiens<\/a> should rely on a stout defence to keep them in this matchup.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jake Guentzel<\/span><\/h4>\n

Pittsburgh already has Sidney Crosby<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and Evgeni Malkin<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0as well established superstars. The reputation they have built means that teams will likely focus on shutting them down. This is Guentzel\u2019s time to shine. If he can take advantage of the extra space, he can be the driving force of the offence. While his injury appeared to be a death sentence early in the season, it appears it will also pay off now. He will be far more fresh and ready to go compared to the rest of the league. Guentzel has not played since December after suffering a shoulder injury and undergoing what was thought to be season-ending surgery.<\/span><\/p>\n

Carey Price<\/span><\/h4>\n

It has been well established that a hot goaltender can carry a team to a championship. Jordan Binnington<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0pulled it off for the St. Louis Blues<\/a> last season. Carey Price<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0is one of the most elite goalies the NHL has seen in years. He could be the factor that allows a bottom-ranked Canadiens team to make a deep playoff push. There will still be a lot of pressure on a weak forward group to produce offence against Matt Murray<\/a><\/strong>. If Price and a Shea Weber<\/a><\/strong> led defence can keep games low-scoring, Montreal could move on.<\/span><\/p>\n

#6 Carolina Hurricanes vs #11 New York Rangers<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Carolina Hurricanes<\/a> are looking to repeat some of last season\u2019s success with another deep playoff run. The defence is solid but who can boost their offensive production? The New York Rangers<\/a> are looking to fight their way to postseason play. Can Jacob Trouba<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0help solidify the defence in front of a young goaltender?<\/span><\/p>\n

Vincent Trocheck<\/span><\/h4>\n

Depth at the blue line has been the key to success for the Hurricanes in recent history. An overwhelming supply of highly talented defencemen took them to the Eastern Conference Final last year. While they were swept by the Boston Bruins<\/a>, more scoring could have helped them avoid the sweep at the very least. They never got more than two goals on the board against Tuukka Rask<\/a><\/strong>. Vincent Trocheck<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0could help solve those problems. As the second line centre behind Sebastian Aho<\/a><\/strong>, Trocheck has an opportunity to do some real damage. The trade deadline acquisition should see significant ice time and needs to take advantage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jacob Trouba<\/span><\/h4>\n

The Rangers appear to be moving past the Henrik Lundqvist<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0era. They are looking towards either Igor Shesterkin<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0or Alexandar Georgiev<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0as the future in net. If the Rangers decision-makers decide to play one of the young studs during the play-in round, he will need support from the defence. New York needs Jacob Trouba to step up. Adam Fox<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0stole the show during the regular season as the best defender on the roster. That was supposed to be Trouba\u2019s role and why they traded for him. This is his time to step up and prove he can be more than just the second fiddle to Fox.<\/span><\/p>\n

#7 New York Islanders vs #10 Florida Panthers<\/span><\/h3>\n

The New York Islanders<\/a> have become famous for their strong team play in the defensive zone under Barry Trotz<\/strong>. Mathew Barzal<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0hopes to be the answer to their scoring. The Florida Panthers<\/a> hope that Frank Vatrano<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0can play the top-six role they need from him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mathew Barzal<\/span><\/h4>\n

Barzal has been seen as the savior of the franchise since the departure of John Tavares<\/a><\/strong>. He is arguably the best player on the roster and is the piece to build around. If the Islanders want to win games, they need to rely on his passing ability. His remarkable vision has resulted in plenty of scoring opportunities for his teammates. Barry Trotz\u2019s defensive system can prevent scoring chances from the other team. But they need production from Barzal if they want to win games and advance in the Eastern Conference play-in round.<\/span><\/p>\n

Frank Vatrano<\/span><\/h4>\n

Vatrano seemingly came out of nowhere. After playing parts of three seasons in Boston, he became more prominently featured in Florida. He set his career-high in points during his first full season with the Panthers. Vatrano has frequently played a top-six role. Although he is more of a secondary scoring option for Florida, his play will be key to their success. The opposing defence will be more focused on established threats like Aleksander Barkov<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and Jonathan Huberdeau<\/a><\/strong>. Vatrano needs to take advantage of the extra space he will find and put pucks in the net.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

#8 Toronto Maple Leafs vs #9 Columbus Blue Jackets<\/span><\/h3>\n

As one of the best teams on paper, the Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> are hoping to avoid yet another first-round elimination. Tyson Barrie<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0could be the piece that pushes them forward. The Columbus Blue Jackets<\/a> have a very talented defence and stellar goaltending. But who will provide the scoring touch they need?<\/span><\/p>\n

Tyson Barrie<\/span><\/h4>\n

Nearly every recent postseason run has played out the same for Toronto. Make a hard push for the playoffs in the regular season, qualify for the postseason, and exit after a tragic Game 7 loss against Boston. This year could be different. Toronto has not had a defence in the past like they do this year. Although injuries have plagued them this year, players could recover by the time play begins. Tyson Barrie is one such defenceman. He has brought stability to the blue line that Frederik Andersen<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0desperately needs. Andersen has had to stand on his head on plays the defence could not stop. With strong defensive play from Barrie, Toronto could finally break their string of bad luck in the playoffs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gustav Nyquist<\/span><\/h4>\n

Columbus has one of the best defensive cores in the NHL. Seth Jones<\/a><\/strong>, Ryan Murray<\/a><\/strong>, and Zach Werenski<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0have proven they can lock down opposing offence. Just look at their sweep of the Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a> in 2019 as an example. The problem is that they do not have the offence they had last year. The departure of Artemi Panarin<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and Matt Duchene<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0hurt badly. In steps Gustav Nyquist<\/a><\/strong>. Although he is not a scorer on the level that those two are, he can help lessen the pain. Nyquist has proven that he can be effective. While they do not need to rely on him for all of the offence, the more he can bring, the more likely they advance beyond the Eastern Conference play-in round.<\/span><\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>