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Former Kings in the playoffs: Staying alive

Posted on by Sarah Avampato

Last week, we introduced you to the bevvy of former Los Angeles Kings who were still competing for the Stanley Cup.

Some of those men have already been eliminated.

Some of them are headed for a pivotal game seven.

Let’s take a look at how everyone’s doing.

Calgary Flames

Oscar Fantenberg: The Calgary Flames’ high octane offense went cold at the exact wrong time. They won only one game against the Colorado Avalanche, and scored more than two goals only once, in the game they won. Fantenberg played a depth role in the three games he appeared in for the Flames. He was on the ice for one goal for, and none against at even strength.

Final Stats: 3 games played, 0 goals, 0 assists

Carolina Hurricanes

Justin Williams: While the Hurricanes were able to turn the tide their way when their series with the Washington Capitals headed back to Raleigh, game five was pretty much a disaster start to finish for the Hurricanes as they were shut out 6-0. The Hurricanes’ captain stepped up to lead by example in the pivotal game six, playing a tenacious, physical game as his team staved off elimination. He scored one goal and had another waved off for being initially played with a high stick.

Current Stats: 6 games played, 1 goal, 2 assists

Dallas Stars

Ben Bishop: The Dallas Stars outplayed the Nashville Predators throughout their entire series — culminating with the Predators’ elimination last night — and Bishop was a big part of that. He made 47 saves, including eight in a frantic overtime that saw the Predators try to save their season. The biggest concern about Bishop has often been his health, but right now he’s putting up some eye-popping numbers. Through his six games, Bishop is second in save percentage, behind only Robin Lehner. The Vezina nominee will face the St. Louis Blues in the second round.

Big Bish Energy: Stars’ Netminder Backstops Team To Incredible Overtime, Series Win On Home Ice

Current stats: 6 games played, 4-1-1, .945 Sv%, 1.89 GAA

Nashville Predators

Brian Boyle: Immediately after we posted last week’s introduction to ex-Kings in the playoffs, Boyle was announced to be out with an “appendix procedure”, whatever, exactly, that means. He missed games two through four of the series, but returned for game six, skating on the third line with Nick Bonino and Austin Watson. The Predators were eliminated by the Dallas Stars in overtime by a score of 2-1.

Final Stats: 3 games played, 0 goals, 2 assists

Wayne Simmonds: Simmonds sustained a knee injury and is considered week-to-week. He did not return to action before the Predators were eliminated.

Final Stats: 2 games played, no points

New York Islanders

Thomas Hickey: Hickey has yet to appear in the post-season, but the Islanders only needed four games to dispatch the Pittsburgh Penguins. He may get the opportunity to draw in for the second round, however, as defenseman Johnny Boychuk has been ruled out for three to four weeks with a lower body injury sustained after blocking a shot.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Jack Johnson: Sad trombone. The Penguins were eliminated in a four-game sweep by the New York Islanders. Johnson had no points, was a -3, averaged 15:21 time on ice, but don’t worry! Pittsburgh’s defense is good, according to their General Manager!

Final Stats: 3 games played, 0 goals, 0 assists

Zach Trotman: Trotman did not appear in the playoffs.

San Jose Sharks

Martin Jones: Jones, until game six, was having an absolutely awful series, with buzz ranging all the way from “the Sharks should start Aaron Dell until Jones gets his act together” to “the Sharks should buy out Jones as soon as the window opens”.

And then game six happened. Jones made 58 saves in the double overtime thriller. He set a franchise record and absolutely bailed his team out in a crucial must-win game. (Game seven is tonight.)

Current Stats: 6 games played, 3-2-0, .906 Sv%, 3.23 GAA

St. Louis Blues

Brayden Schenn: The Blues eliminated the Winnipeg Jets in six games in a series that saw Winnipeg put up some incredibly disappointing stats. In the crucial elimination game, they had six shots over two periods. Combined. Total. Yikes. After a somewhat lackluster start to the playoffs for Schenn, he’s stepped up with three points in the last two games of the series.

Current Stats: 6 games played, 1 goal, 2 assists

Tampa Bay Lightning

Erik Cernak: Cernak played in all four games of the Lightning’s shocking first round exit. He garnered three assists and actually led the team in points in the post-season. (If you’re wondering exactly how things went so disastrously wrong for the Lightning, the fact that a rookie defensemen led them in scoring is most definitely something that should be on your list.)

Final Stats: 4 games played, 0 goals, 3 assists

Toronto Maple Leafs

Jake Muzzin: Not only does Jake Muzzin have two assists, and not only is his team going to a Game Seven, and not only has he been bringing some extra physical west coast-style hockey to Toronto, but most importantly, he’s a dad now! Yay, Jake!

Current Stats: 6 games played, 0 goals, 2 assists

Vegas Golden Knights

Brayden McNabb: McNabb has 25 hits in this series, which probably tells you everything you need to know about what he’s been up to.

Current Stats: 6 games played, 0 goals, 0 assists

Colin Miller: Miller continues to be quietly effective in this series. He’s on the ice for far more shots for than against (37 for, 18 against) at even strength and is one of the team’s leaders in possession (57.25% Corsi For). Still, he was used somewhat sparingly in the double overtime game; his 25:57 of ice time was second-lowest on the team.

Current Stats: 5 games played, 1 goal, 2 assists

Valentin Zykov : Zykov technically exists. (He has yet to appear in the playoffs.)

Washington Capitals

Nic Dowd: Dowd has continued his strong play on the Caps’ fourth line, appearing in all five games so far. Prior to Monday night’s game six, Dowd was one of the team’s leaders in possession, posting a 51.79% Corsi For. That put him behind only Chandler Stephenson in terms of players who have appeared in a majority of playoff games. Game six disrupted that, lowering him to a 41.89% Corsi For, as the Capitals as a team fared rather poorly in the advanced metrics department. But! Nic Dowd did this!

Current Stats: 6 games played, 1 goal, 0 assists

Carl Hagelin: With the injury to T.J. Oshie, Hagelin has the opportunity to seize even more ice time. He’s on the second line, alongside Evgeny Kuznetsov and Jakub Vrana, and at even strength is logging a ton of ice time. He’s averaging 15:36 per game, his most since the 2015-16 playoffs with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Hagelin has yet to get on the scoreboard and, while at even strength, is getting caved in when it comes to possession and scoring chances (he’s been on the ice for 22 shots for and 42 against) but only one goal against.

Current Stats: 6 games played, 0 goals, 0 assists

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