Individual Playoff Surprises And Disappointments

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We looked at the Eastern Conference yeterday, pinning some players who made a big (and unexpected) impact or who were great disappointments for their teams.

May 10, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) and St. Louis Blues goalie Brian Elliott (1) players shake hands after game six of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Staples Center. Kings won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Today we shift our focus to the West, and again pin one player on each team who either stepped up and surprised, or underperformed resulting in an early exit.

Anaheim Ducks – Corey Perry

May 12, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing Corey Perry (10) attempts a shot on Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard (35) during the second period in game seven of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Perry, freshly inked to a big money contract extension, Perry had a decent season but a very disappointing playoff run. He notched just two assists in the #2 seed Ducks 7 game loss to the Red Wings. Perry is counted on to be a goal scorer, and he didn’t get that job done in May.

Chicago Blackhawks – Bryan Bickell

Jun 24, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Bryan Bickell (29) scores the game-tying goal against the Boston Bruins during the third period in game six of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Michael Ivins-USA TODAY Sports

For a player heading into unrestricted free agency, Bickell picked the right time and situation to make headlines. After putting up 9 goals and 23 points in 48 regular season games, Bickell caught fire in the playoffs, matching his goal total with 9 and adding 8 assists for 17 points in just 23 playoff games and was even given some consideration for the Conn Smythe Trophy. He will get a big pay raise either from Chicago or whoever gets him signed after July 5th.

Detroit Red Wings – Damien Brunner

May 23, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Damien Brunner (24) skates against the Chicago Blackhawks in game four of the second round for the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Swiss rookie will also become a free agent on July 5th if he hasn’t re-signed in Detroit before then. He led the wings with 5 post-season goals and tied for 3rd in points with Pavel Datsyuk (9 apeice). Not bad company and the 27 year old has proven that he can play under pressure and will get a decent 2nd contract because of it.

Los Angeles Kings – Slava Voynov

Jun 8, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Slava Voynov (26) carries the puck past Chicago Blackhawks center Dave Bolland (36) during the first period in game five of the Western Conference finals of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Kings went three rounds in this playoff season, and it was due in large part to the play of Slava Voynov. Overshadowed by Drew Doughty, the Kings blueliner stepped up and was a leader for the Kings. He tied for the club lead in scoring with 13 points and tied for 1st in goals with 6. He also had 4 game winning goals and led the team with a +9 rating.

Minnesota Wild – Zach Parise

May 7, 2013; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise (11) carries the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at Xcel Energy Center. The Blackhawks defeated the Wild 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The Wild made the playoffs, but were overmatched in the first round against the Blackhawks. Parise was a big-money acquisition in the off-season, but couldn’t have the effect on the playoffs that he had the previous year in New Jersey. He notched only one goal and finished a team-worst -7 in the 5 game first round elimination.

San Jose Sharks – Logan Couture

May 18, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Rob Scuderi (7) attempts to block a shot by San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture (39) during the first period in game three of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at HP Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

If the regular season hadn’t already been Couture’s coming out party, the playoffs certainly were. The Sharks are now Couture’s team, and his contract extension that he signed after the playoffs ended signifies that. Although the Sharks were eliminated in the second round once again, Couture’s character and his 3 game winners showed that there is a changing of the guard in San Jose.

St. Louis Blues – Brian Elliott

Going head to head and save for save with a Conn Smythe Trophy winner in the first round, Brian Elliott showed that when he is on his game, he can be an elite goalie. He finished the first round with a 2-4 record, but his 1.90 GAA proves that Elliott was not the problem. He can’t score goals too. He just needs to avoid the downs that affected him this year and resulted in his being sent to the minors for conditioning at one point.

Vancouver Canucks – The Vancouver Canucks Circus

May 3, 2013; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; San Jose Sharks forward Raffi Torres (13) scores against Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo (1) during overtime of game two of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at Rogers Arena. The San Jose Sharks won 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

The Cancucks seem to be regressing and it cost their coach his job. The Roberto Luongo–Cory Schneider situation still hasn’t been resolved, and add to that mix John Tortorella. The Canucks underperformed drastically and with cap troubles their window might be closed.

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