I agree with the OP and a couple of others: Colin Greening.
I think (read: hope) this is when he finally learns to get mad, play on the edge and use his big frame to really do some damage. With his speed and size, he should have the same impact on the ice that Lucic has... he hasn't found that side of himself yet. He is waaaay to *** nice.
If he finally figures it out, this WILL be his coming out party, and we'll have a dangerous player on our hands.
I feel Foligno could have a serious impact againt Boston. They're a tough, nasty team that can get pretty feisty and Foligno's become quite the agitator this season, getting in the faces of a lot of big players. He'll be relied on to protect Turris and Alfie, and also to mix it up with some of Boston's better players.
The entire second line will be the biggest factor in the series. The Spezza and Bergeron lines will likely neutralize one another leaving the bottom 9 to duke it out over the series. It's going to come down to depth and goaltending. Unfortunately, as we all know, Boston is one of the deepest teams in the NHL and their goaltending is solid.
I think Smith will be another player that siezes the moment. What needs to happen is our 2nd and 3rd lines need to score, since Spezza and Karlsson will be hounded the entire series.
Someone who would actually be a surprise for most would be Matt Carkner. I like the way he's been playing lately and his skating is so much better than early in the year. I could see him playing a key role on our bottom pairing, throwing around his body for hits and blocks. You need that in the playoffs and he looks to be rounding into form.
I really hope if we do play Boston, all of our gritty players only get physical if they have to as a response. But if the big bad Bruins want to sleep-walk through the series - don't wake them up. That was the mistake the Canucks made in the finals.
Step up predictions:
Secondary scoring: Turris
Grit: Smith
But I think Anderson is the most important player in the organization come playoffs.
Spezza proves his doubters wrong again as a playoff performer going 1.5 ppg. Turris' has his coming out party with 2 GWG and assisting another GWG by Alfie. Neil has the other GWG.
Hahaha... really Spezza. Ok.. He'll prove the doubters wrong if he even puts up a point a game vs. Boston.
Probably these two since they don't shy away from the physical game.. you can add Neil to that list. And they play a 2 way game. You need that in the playoffs.
