With two big goals and two assists in the San Jose Sharks' decisive Game 7 victory over the Calgary Flames Tuesday night, veteran forward Jeremy Roenick emerged as perhaps the unlikeliest of playoff heroes.
It wasn't so long ago that Roenick had been forced into semi-retirement, before eventually signing on with a talented Sharks team to provide some veteran leadership. Relegated to the press box as a healthy scratch in Game Six, Roenick might have become an afterthought for the Sharks.
Instead, Roenick stepped up and helped propel the Sharks into the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
"I didn't expect to have a feeling this good," Roenick told the Mercury News. "I just wanted to come back to contribute and be a guy who helps the kids. I don't want to say I'm surprised. But it's a real nice feeling."
"I texted him (Monday) night and told him that I was going to rely on him heavily, and he was all excited about that," coach Ron Wilson said. "Did I expect him to get four points? No, maybe a chip in or do something on the power play. But he's got a lot of poise."
Roenick was just one of many that stepped up for their teams during the first round. TSN takes a look back at some of the other playoff heroes that emerged during the first round of the playoffs. Don't forget to tune in to TSN tonight at 7pm et/4pm pt for a special Second Round preview edition of Molson That's Hockey.
Montreal Canadiens
First-year goaltender Carey Price has had an up-and-down start to his playoff career. He began with two stellar performances in Games One and Two of the Habs' series with the Boston Bruins - giving up just three goals total on 57 shots. But Price stumbled slightly in Games Five and Six, giving up 10 goals combined.
When it mattered most, though, Price shut the door; making 25 saves to blank the Bruins in Game 7. In his typically understated fashion, Price showed the same poise after the game that he displays between the pipes.
"It's the playoffs - games can go either way," Price told the Canadian Press following the Game 7 win. "You can't get too high or low. I know that's an old cliché, but that's how it is.
"We all felt we had to play better and we did."
Philadelphia Flyers
After years of disappointments as a member of the Buffalo Sabres, Daniel Briere showed the talent that made Philadelphia decide to sign him to a long-term deal this past off-season. Briere stepped up against Washington and leads the entire NHL in playoff scoring with six goals and five assists.
It's not just theoffence. Briere has elevated his overall play as well, finishing the series +2 after being a -22 during the regular season. Briere proved to be the kind of rock the Flyers needed, especially after Washington stormed back to tie the series 3-3.
"There's been times when this group had a chance to fold, to give up, basically, and we keep coming back up. The confidence keeps growing, and it's a very positive thing," Briere told the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh didn't really need a hero in it's first round sweep of the Ottawa Senators. Everyone from Sidney Crosby to Evgeni Malkin to Marc-Andre Fleury elevated their game to defeat a clearly overmatched Senators' squad.
But for one Penguin, this series was a moment of vindication. Often-labeled as a player who can score during the regular season, but then disappears during the playoffs, Marian Hossa put forth a performance that should, at least for the moment, silence his critics.
With five points and a team-high 24 shots, Hossa proved to be an excellent addition to Crosby's wing. As Pittsburgh hoped, the trade deadline-acquisition added even more firepower to already potent Penguin attack.
New York Rangers
Love him or hate him, no player had as much impact on the New York Rangers/New Jersey Devils' series as super-pest Sean Avery.
Avery was solid offensively, scoring five points while notching three goals, including the game-winner in Game Two. But Avery truly left his mark by throwing Devils' goaltender Martin Brodeur off his game.
From crashing the crease with reckless abandon to (in)famously waving his stick in front of Brodeur's face on the power play, Avery was the key reason why the Rangers are preparing to play the Penguins in the second round.
Despite his actions, TSN analyst Bob McKenzie noted that, "he's a very good hockey player."
Detroit Red Wings
With two quick victories in Detroit, the Red Wings appeared to be cruising in their first-round match up with the Nashville Predators.
But Detroit hit a speed bump when they traveled to Nashville. The Wings lost Game Three and starting goaltender Dominik Hasek looked particularly shaky in Game Four, giving up three goals on just 14 shots.
Backup goalie Chris Osgood was called in and he did a stellar job steadying the team. The Wings would win the next games and the series, as Osgood faced 54 shots but gave up just one goal the rest of the way.
"Ozzie came in and was solid, he was real poised," said Red Wings coach Mike Babcock following the series.
Colorado Avalanche
Tuning into the Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild series, you couldn't be blamed if you thought you were watching the 1998 version of the Avalanche, not the 2008 one.
Long-time Avalanche veterans Peter Forsberg, five points, and Adam Foote, 23 minutes a game, were playing playoff-caliber hockey and showing the way for younger players like Wojtek Wolski and David Jones.
But the Avalanche's true hero was 18-year veteran Joe Sakic.
Sakic set the tone early by scoring a game-winning goal in the overtime period of Game One. Sakic led the team in scoring with six points and was a force the entire series.
Dallas Stars
Overshadowed by the Anaheim Ducks' collapse was the stellar play of Stars' goaltender Marty Turco.
When Mike Smith was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning at the trade deadline, some questioned whether the Stars had kept the right goalie.
Compounding the pressure, was the fact that Turco has taken a lot criticism for Dallas' past first-round flameouts in 2004, '06 and '07.
Against Anaheim, Turco posted a sparkling 2.01 goals-against-average and a .912 save percentage. Turco has worked hard to erase those doubts and is the backbone of Stars team that is looking to make a long run in the playoffs.
"For all we've been through, we talk about doing what we're capable of and not just one series. We want to win it all. That's why it's been so disappointing over the years," Turco told the Canadian Press.
Who was your first round hero? Make Your Call on the message board!