If you're a Detroit Red Wings fan and have continued to watch the playoffs beyond Game Five of the Sharks series, you've likely thought or uttered some of the following:
"Who the hell is this guy?"
"Where was this guy in November?"
"Why couldn't this guy do that for us?"
The "guy," of course, is Ville Leino.
And the reason he's been at the center of so many questions is the fact that his performance throughout the playoffs is now causing some to mention his name and "Conn Smythe" in the same sentence.
Now, that may still be a bit of stretch, but there's no denying that Leino has emerged as one of Philadelphia's best players in these playoffs and certainly their best offensive contributor in the Stanley Cup Finals.
In 17 playoffs games this season, Leino has posted seven goals (two of them game-winners), nine assists, and a plus-six rating.
His patience and control with the puck are now giving the Blackhawks defenders serious fits, and he's become so reliable that Philadelphia head coach Peter Laviolette thinks nothing of double-shifting him at the end of a close game.
All of ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Matt Hutter
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June 4th, 2010 by Matt Hutter Leave a reply »
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