This was why the San Jose Sharks dealt Dany Heatley for Martin Havlat last July.
They wanted what he brings in the playoffs – and what Heatley doesn't – as Havlat has surprisingly been a very regular playoff contributor when his teams have made it in.
Among players with 20 postseason games played since the lockout, he ranks fifth in points per game, with 30 points in 27 games for Ottawa, Chicago and after two goals on Thursday night, including the double overtime winner, San Jose.
Havlat played 21:30 in his first playoff game as a Shark, skating on a line with Logan Couture and Ryane Clowe, and looked like a difference maker.
He's run into plenty of injury problems so far in San Jose, missing all but 39 regular season games mainly due to hurting himself climbing over the boards in a game against the Edmonton Oilers in mid-December.
His fragility has always been an issue (even if he'd been relatively healthy the three years before this one) but the Sharks felt they could live with that as long as he delivered in a few big games.
So far, so good.
"I don't think it's just me, I think everybody in the NHL wants to be in the playoffs and have a chance to fight for the Cup," Havlat said after scoring the winner in that video above. "I'm just trying to enjoy it... I'm very excited I could play in the playoffs."
The Sharks record was terrific during the season when Havlat was healthy (25-11-3), making his return from injury another factor that will make this a tough series for the St. Louis Blues.
Another one? How about another former Blackhawk in netminder Antti Niemi, who was terrific in the overtime in keeping his team alive until Havlat's winner.
Wouldn't it be something if San Jose goes on a run in a year when they're a seventh seed after so many disappointing postseasons as the favourite?
Playoff points per game leaders since lockout (min. 20 games)
|
RK |
Player |
Current Team |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts |
PPG |
|
1 |
Crosby |
Pit |
63 |
31 |
53 |
84 |
1.33 |
|
2 |
Ovechkin |
Was |
38 |
25 |
25 |
50 |
1.32 |
|
3 |
Jagr |
Phi |
24 |
10 |
18 |
28 |
1.17 |
|
4 |
Malkin |
Pit |
63 |
29 |
44 |
73 |
1.16 |
|
5 |
Havlat |
SJ |
27 |
14 |
16 |
30 |
1.11 |
|
6 |
St. Louis |
TB |
29 |
17 |
15 |
32 |
1.10 |
|
7 |
Spezza |
Ott |
41 |
13 |
32 |
45 |
1.10 |
|
8 |
P. Kane |
Chi |
46 |
20 |
30 |
50 |
1.09 |
|
9 |
Elias |
NJ |
36 |
12 |
27 |
39 |
1.08 |
|
10 |
Zetterberg |
Det |
89 |
47 |
48 |
95 |
1.07 |
|
11 |
B. Richards |
NYR |
30 |
10 |
22 |
32 |
1.07 |
|
12 |
Alfredsson |
Ott |
39 |
19 |
22 |
41 |
1.05 |
|
13 |
S. Koivu |
Ana |
20 |
4 |
17 |
21 |
1.05 |
|
14 |
Briere |
Phi |
92 |
42 |
53 |
95 |
1.03 |
|
15 |
Lecavalier |
TB |
29 |
12 |
18 |
30 |
1.03 |