As the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs comes to a close and the conference finalists become determined, NHL.com has identified one unsung hero in terms of EDGE stats from each of the remaining teams.
Boston Bruins: Forward Jake DeBrusk, who is tied with injured Brad Marchand for the Bruins’ points lead (10 in 12 games) during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, ranks in the 95th percentile in 20-plus mile per hour speed bursts (28) and the 93rd percentile in total skating distance (35.52 miles). He also has two high-danger goals on eight high-danger shots on goal, ranking in the 89th percentile in each category.
Colorado Avalanche: Forward Artturi Lehkonen had a multipoint game (one goal, one assist) with the Avalanche facing elimination in Game 5 in the absence of Valeri Nichushkin, who was placed in Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program on Monday. Lehkonen is Colorado’s active leading playoff goal scorer with six (excluding Nichushkin’s nine) and is third on the Avalanche in even-strength points (eight), behind Casey Mittelstadt and Mikko Rantanen (nine each). Lehkonen is tied for fourth in high-danger shots on goal (16) during the playoffs and ranks fifth among remaining players in offensive zone time percentage on the power play (65.8 percent).
Dallas Stars: Among NHL defensemen, Thomas Harley has the most mid-range shots on goal (13) this postseason and ranks second in 20-plus mph speed bursts (26) behind Cale Makar of the Avalanche (27). Harley also ranks third among all NHL players in total skating distance (43.38 miles), behind Stars teammate Miro Heiskanen (46.64) and Charlie McAvoy of the Bruins (45.11).
Edmonton Oilers: Among goalies from remaining teams who have played multiple games this postseason, only Jeremy Swayman of the Bruins (.933) and Igor Shesterkin of the Rangers (.923) have a better save percentage than the Oilers' Calvin Pickard (.915). Pickard has allowed a total of five goals during his two starts against the Vancouver Canucks in Games 4 and 5 and has stopped all 14 of his long-range shots faced in the series.
Florida Panthers: Gustav Forsling is tied for eighth among NHL defensemen in even-strength points (five in 10 games) this postseason and ranks in the 93rd percentile among all NHL players in top shot speed (94.84 mph). Forsling is tied for third in the League in 90-plus mph shots (five) and tied for sixth among defensemen in 20-plus mph speed bursts (13) this postseason. Forsling also leads Florida in shot attempts (221; tied for 14th in NHL) during the playoffs.
New York Rangers: Forward Alexis Lafreniere leads the NHL in even-strength goals (four) during the second round of the playoffs. Lafrenière is averaging a point per game (10 in 10 games) this postseason and is tied for 24th in the NHL in shots on goal (26). The No. 1 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft also ranks in the 92nd percentile in mid-range shots on goal (nine) and in the 82nd percentile in single-game skating distance at even strength (3.54 miles against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2 of the second round).
Vancouver Canucks: Defenseman Nikita Zadorov leads NHL defensemen in even-strength goals (four) and is tied with Evan Bouchard of the Oilers for the most even-strength points by a defenseman (eight in 11 games) this postseason. Zadorov, acquired in a trade with the Calgary Flames on Nov. 30, also is tied for fourth in the NHL in long-range shots on goal (13), ranks eighth in maximum shot speed (97.32 mph) and has had three shots of at least 90 mph (tied for eighth in League).
