In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, experience rules the day.
Learning the grind of the NHL regular season is one thing. The playoffs are an even tougher beast to tame, thanks to both the relentless schedule and the increased intensity.
Many players need a bit of firsthand practice before they dial in how to be their best in the postseason—channeling their excitement and passion in a way that delivers positive results.
It's an extraordinary achievement when a rookie has success in the playoffs—like Matt Murray did last season when he channeled his inner Patrick Roy and Ken Dryden as he backstopped the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Stanley Cup.