8 Eastern Conference Playoff Pool Sleepers: 1 from each team
It almost goes without saying but if you’re going to win your playoff pool this spring, it’s paramount that you hit on a couple of sleeper picks.
Traditionally, those are players who are projected to drastically outplay their average draft position.
From pending contract status to gaining a promotion due to injury to a strong regular season finish, there’s an abundance of factors that could ultimately help contribute to a player’s surge in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
With that in mind, here’s one sleeper to target from each of the eight Eastern Conference playoff teams:
Boston Bruins – Forward – Tyler Bertuzzi
After a slow start in Boston, Bertuzzi, who’s playing for a new contract, tallied 10 points (three goals, seven assists) over his final 10 outings of the regular season. Additionally, if he continues to produce, they’ll have no choice but to deploy him in the top-six, which obviously means some meaningful attachment to the big boys.
Toronto Maple Leafs – Defence – Morgan Rielly
Let’s call a spade a spade: It was a tough regular season for Rielly. Having said that, all can be erased by a strong showing when it matters most. For what it’s worth, the 29-year-old tallied three goals and three assists in last spring’s seven game thriller against Tampa. If you believe in Toronto, it could be a good idea to grab their first power play quarterback.
Tampa Bay Lightning – Forward – Brayden Point
For starters, for the first time in five seasons, Point participated in all 82 games for the Lightning in the regular season. On that note, the 27-year-old erupted for a career high 51 goals and was one of only five players to hit the 50-goal plateau. Over and above all that, Point has 38 goals and 78 points in 76 career playoff games. Take the plunge.
Carolina Hurricanes – Defence – Brent Burns
For the first time since 2019, the 38-year-old is set to appear in a playoff game. As expected, Burns, who runs Carolina’s first power play unit, experienced a bounce back of sorts in his first season with the Canes reaching the 60-point mark for the first time in four seasons (18 goals, 43 assists). Be mindful.
New Jersey Devils – Forward – Dawson Mercer
By now, the secret’s firmly out on the 21-year-old forward, who experienced quite the breakout in the second half of the season. In 46 games since January 1st, Mercer has 19 goals and 36 points. Look for him to skate on a line with Nico Hischier and Tomas Tatar to start things off.
New York Rangers – Forward – Vincent Trocheck
With all the star power around him in New York’s top-six, the 29-year-old pivot could be primed for some big things this springtime. Down the stretch, he anchored a line with Artemi Panarin and Vladimir Tarasenko, which all things considered, is a pretty nasty trio. In his first season with the Rangers, Trocheck tallied 22 goals and 64 points playing in all 82 contests.
New York Islanders – Goalie – Ilya Sorokin
Indisputably, the Islanders are the underdog in their first round series against the Carolina Hurricanes. Nevertheless, they possess a true equalizer in the form of Ilya Sorokin. In 62 regular season appearances, the 27-year-old registered a 2.33 goals-against, 0.924 save-percentage and six shutouts. Beware; Sorokin is fully capable of stealing a series.
Florida Panthers – Forward – Carter Verhaeghe
There are 42 reasons to take a late round flier on this Panthers winger. In each of his first four seasons in the NHL, Verhaeghe has jumped in goals each progressive year going from nine to 18 to 24 to 42 (!) this season. As if you needed more reason to take a flier, he’s been money in the bank in the postseason. If you remember, he had six goals and 12 points in 10 playoff games last spring.