If playoff hockey was one person, it would be David Savard.
The rugged defenseman plays the type of physical, hard-nosed hockey that marks this time of year, and his prodigious beard is always in postseason form, cascading from his face in brown waves that make him equal parts Civil War soldier and Yukon Cornelius lookalike.
Maybe that's why Savard was such a key part of the Blue Jackets' first-round playoff sweep of Tampa Bay. In exactly 24:00 minutes of play per game, Savard totaled a series-changing goal, an assist, multiple huge shot blocks, broke in a new defensive partner and helped neutralize what had been a prolific Lightning attack throughout the season.
David Savard shining for Blue Jackets in playoffs
Savvy 'Savy' was key part of sweep of Lightning
© Jamie Sabau