Individual Playoff Surprises & Disappointments – Eastern Conference

Some are good, some are bad.  Some come out of nowhere, some disappear when the chips are down.  Playoffs are a time where unsung players can step into prime roles that nobody knew they were capable of, while others shrink from the spotlight when the lights are brightest.

May 9, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) blows a bubble while on the bench against the New York Islanders in game five of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at CONSOL Energy Center. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Here are 8 players (1 from each playoff team) in the Eastern Conference who either rose to the occasion or wilted when their teams needed them most.

Boston Bruins – Torey Krug

Jun 17, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug (47) carries the puck past Chicago Blackhawks center Dave Bolland (36) during the second period in game three of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

With injuries decimating the Boston Blue line, the Bruins had to resort to playing 3 rookie defensemen at one time:  Dougie Hamilton, Matt Bartkowski and Torey Krug.  Krug was the most unheralded and anonymous of the trio, but he stepped up and became a player that Claude Julien couldn’t take out of the lineup, right till the end.  He played 15 games, scored 4 goals and 2 assists and had a +5 rating.  Not bad for an undrafted player with 3 regular season games of NHL experience.

Montreal Canadiens – Max Pacioretty

May 7, 2013; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Montreal Canadiens left wing Max Pacioretty (67) collides with Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) in the second period in game four of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at Scotiabank Place. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

With the dramatic turnaround from 15th to 2nd in the regular season, more was expected from the Habs in the playoffs, and although there were many passengers in the loss to Ottawa, Max Pacioretty leads the way.  The team’s leading scorer and best forward was invisible for the 4 games he played, and went pointless.

New York Islanders – The New York Islanders Team

May 7, 2013; Uniondale, NY, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Mark Streit (2) celebrates his goal with teammates during the second period against the Pittsburgh Penguins in game four of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

With so many members of the Islanders making their playoff debut, they almost pulled the upset of the Penguins, forcing the supposed powerhouse to 6 games.  It was a good learning experience for the young club and they might have ruined Marc-Andre Fleury in the meantime.

New York Rangers – Brad Richards

May 4, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; New York Rangers center Brad Richards (19) skates with the puck as Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19) defends in the third period in game two of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 1-0 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

How quickly the mighty have fallen.  Less than 2 years after being the most sought after free agent going, Richards found himself watching games 4 and 5 of the Rangers 5 game series loss to the Bruins from the press box as a healthy scratch after playing limited minutes on the 4th line leading up to the benching.  Maybe he will have more success under Alain Vigneault, but he is a better player than the one goal in 10 games he put up for John Tortorella, no matter what situation he was put in.

Ottawa Senators – Jean-Gabriel Pageau

May 22, 2013; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Ottawa Senators centre Jean-Gabriel Pageau (44) controls the puck in the third period in game four of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Scotiabank Place. The Penguins defeated the Senators by a score of 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

For a rookie to have an entire arena serenading him in a playoff game, you have done something special.  That was what happened to Pageau during his hat trick in game 4 against the Canadiens.  It was one of the most memorable moments of the season and maybe in the 20+ years of the franchise.  Now it is up to him to prove that he isn’t a flash in the pan and can handle the grind of an NHL season.

Pittsburgh Penguins – Marc-Andre Fleury

May 9, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) blows a bubble while on the bench against the New York Islanders in game five of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at CONSOL Energy Center. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The former Stanley Cup winning goaltender has wilted in two straight playoffs, and if it wasn’t for Tomas Vokoun, the Penguins would have had a 2nd straight first round exit.  Fleury’s confidence has to be shaken, despite Ray Shero and Dan Bylsma giving him the vote of confidence.  How he bounces back will say a lot about the player, but the true test will be next year’s playoffs, if he lasts that long.

Toronto Maple Leafs – Phil Kessel

May 13, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Phil Kessel (81) takes a shot on goal during the third period in game seven of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Kessel went a long way to slaying his demons against the Bruins, and almost keyed what would have been a huge upset.  Even if they were closely matched in the standings, the gap between the Bruins and Leafs was massive, and Kessel showed a lot about his willingness to play in tough and uncomfortable  situations.