With the Stanley Cup playoffs off to a good start as we head into the Conference Finals, I felt like it was a great time to look at those players who have been underperforming through the first two rounds. Like our latest featured series, NHLRumors.comWe’ll be looking at the underperformers in both the Eastern and Western conferences.
It would be hard to do it all in one because there are so many. more in the east than in the west. There was more star power in the East with teams like the New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Toronto Maple Leafs.
It’s time to reveal our underperformance in the Eastern Conference.
Underperforming Eastern Conference
Bo Horvat– F – New Yorkers
Leading the Eastern Conference underperformers is Bo Horvat of the New York Islanders. The Islanders made the first move before the deadline to get Horvat out of the Canucks.
At first, this move seemed great. Horvat was producing, but then he got cold feet. did not help with Matthew Barzal Out of the lineup, but even when he did return, Horvat never regained his form and scored just eight goals after being traded.
Despite doing all the little things right, Horvat wasn’t there for the Islanders down the stretch and into the first round of the playoffs. He was meant to make an impact and get this team over the top. But like the rest of the islanders, he struggled to make an attack in this system.
In six playoff games with the Islanders, Horvat had two points. One goal came in garbage time in Game 4 and an assist in Game 5. Other than that, he was held scoreless. He knew he needed to be better and score meaningful goals.
Jesper Pratt– F – New Jersey Devils
There are a number of players you could pick who didn’t perform great for the Devils in the playoffs this year. from Timo Meyer to Nico Hischer to Dougie Hamiltonthe man most distinguished is Jesper Pratt.
Pratt had a great start to the season as he broke the franchise record with 11 consecutive points. Over the 11-game point streak, Pratt had 17 points. He finished the season tying his career high in points with 73 and setting a new career high in goals with 32.
But once the playoffs began, Pratt was nowhere to be seen on the ice. Pratt is a streaky player and at times during the regular season, he just isn’t around. The team views him as the best player, and the best players should perform in the playoffs.
In 12 games, Pratt scored six points (one goal and five assists) and was -3. That goal was an empty net goal that closed out Game 7 against the Rangers and sent the Devils into the second round. Other than that nothing.
He was looking to pass more than he was looking to shoot. Some of his defensive efforts were not the greatest. For a player who wants to get paid like a premium player, his playoff performance could hurt him on the wallet.
Artemy Panarin – F – New York Rangers
As with the Devils, there are many players in the Rangers who underperform. However, Artemi Panarin was leading the way. Panarin was the leading scorer for the Rangers in the regular season with 92 points, but was absolutely undeliverable in the playoffs.
In seven playoff games, Panarin had only two assists and was -2 in the series. Panarin let the frustration of not scoring get to him. It’s not like he didn’t have his looks. This could be an entirely different story if Panarin actually ends his chances.
That’s a significant drop from a player who had 16 points in 20 games last year with the Rangers. But like the rest of the Rangers, it was a huge disappointment losing in the first round.
Alexander Barkov – F – Florida Panthers
Although the Florida Panthers are in the second round of the playoffs, Alexander Barkov can do more. This season, Barkov scored the sixth most goals in the NHL. He’s only managed 2 games in 11 playoff games this season.
The second-leading scorer during the regular season for the Panthers, he has nine points in 11 postseason games. Besides the two goals, most of Barkov’s points came from assists. He has seven through 11 playoff appearances.
If the Panthers want to win the Stanley Cup and continue their stellar run, they need more Barkov. Barkov is no longer an under-the-radar player in the NHL. is expected to produce. And while the Panthers stand in their series with the Maple Leafs, he Matthew Tkachuk Line does the most damage. The Barkov line should start producing more.
There are others that didn’t make the Eastern Conference’s underperforming list, but perhaps that can be saved for another time. Be on the lookout for Western Conference underperformers.