The Stanley Cup playoffs field is set, and it’s time to look at the next crop of potential playoff heroes.
Seemingly no tournament in sports offers as much opportunity for an unlikely hero to shine as the NHL’s postseason. Of course, big names often earn playoffs MVP — 27 of 39 Conn Smythe Trophy winners are enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
But Justin Williams, winner of the award in 2014 while with the Stanley-Cup-winning Los Angeles Kings, was hardly a household name. The longtime winger had a few truly excellent seasons, but he was mostly a middle-of-the-lineup type who seemed to shine in the biggest moments.
In this year’s field is there a Justin Williams, another under-the-radar player who will excel and whose team will make a deep playoff run? Here are five potential candidates:
Winger Brandon Hagel, Tampa Bay Lightning | First round vs. Florida
Most players on this list are either entering the playoffs hot, amid a career season or have a history of playoff success. Hagel fits all three of these categories.
Once upon a time the Lightning were (briefly) lampooned for how much they gave up to acquire him in a trade with Chicago. Hagel has a career-high 90 points and 35 goals this season and 22 points in his past 20 games.
In Hagel’s past two trips to the playoffs, he has 10 points in 11 games. He does most of his damage at 5-on-5.
