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Important players ahead of the 2011 National Hockey League play-offs - Part 4

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Important players ahead of the 2011 National Hockey League play-offs - Part 4

Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks
Joe Thornton is one of the premiere players in the San Jose Sharks and a lot was expected out of him during the course of the season. However, he didn’t meet the standards that he has set for himself.
He is one of the most important assets of the Sharks and played a very crucial role alongside Patrick Marleau to guide the Sharks to the Pacific Division title. Both the players were absolutely brilliant along the way as they bagged a combined total of 143
points during the course of the regular season.
Out of the 143 points Thornton scored 70 points while Marleau scored 73 points. Thornton is a well built player in the league and uses his muscular body to his advantage. He is one of the most skilful players in the league and has made a name for himself
with his amazing play-making abilities.
The regular season is done and gone and it is time for the play-offs now. Thornton hasn’t been able to maintain the productivity level that he should during the postseason. He has been somewhat disappointing due to the 0.66 points per game average. If the
Sharks are looking to go further this time and aiming to get their hands on the Cup, then they need Thornton to step up his game and guide the Sharks.
So far, he has been a minus 12 player in the Sharks team that finished second in the Western Conference. If he can score a few goals then he can get his statistics back on a positive track. Thornton is one of those players in the league who has underperformed
and has the potential to go all the way. The talent and skill that he has, makes him one of the most diverse and productive players and this might just be the stage for him to shine.
Jimmy Howard, Detroit Red Wings
Jimmy Howard had an injury prone regular season this time out. He has still managed to show that he is a very important part of the Red Wings line-up. The team doesn’t have the same level on defence as they do on offence.
Howard has been absolutely brilliant in the 63 games that he has played for the Red Wings. He has helped the team record 37 wins. However, the alarming factor related to the third best goalie in the National Hockey League this time was that he had 2.79 goals
against percentage.
Though this might seem less, but the reality is this that games in the play-offs are very close and at times won by a difference of just one goal. Considering this, it is one thing that Howard and the Red Wings will be thinking about.
The Red Wings are up against the Coyotes in the first round of the play-offs and they have a very good and inform goal-keeper in Ilya Bryzgalov. Nevertheless, it is the Red Wings who are being tipped to take the series with the immense amount of talent that
they possess.
The only thing for the Red Wings to worry about is that Howard needs to perform. Given that he does well in the play-offs, consider them a very strong contender for the title this time out.

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