Anaheim Ducks Player Grades: Sami Vatanen
By Jason Byun
Playoffs
May 10, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Mike Richards (10) collides with Anaheim Ducks defenseman Sami Vatanen (45) in the second period in game four of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
While he was on the postseason roster for the Ducks at the start of the postseason, Sami Vatanen did not play a single game in the Dallas series, eventually being sent down before Game 3. However, with Robidas re-fracturing his leg and both Bryan Allen and Mark Fistric struggling with speedier players and taking bad penalties on defensive miscues, Vatanen was recalled on May 8, the night of Game 3 against the Los Angeles Kings.
Vatanen’s insertion into the Ducks’ lineup added speed and offensive juice. The team was not as frequently hemmed into their defensive zone, and their power play had solid puck movement and speed.
One of the Ducks’ biggest issues was controlling the puck. In the playoffs, the Ducks controlled 43.9% of the shots when Vatanen was on the ice, which is a horrendous number. However, the Ducks actually controlled 4.5% more shots on the ice with Vatanen on rather than off the ice. Vatanen added an element of speed and skating ability that Mark Fistric, who Vatanen replaced, did not offer. Without Vatanen energizing the power play and adding speed to the blue line, the Ducks may not have pushed Los Angeles to seven games.
Vatanen, who began playing after the Ducks lost their first two games to the Kings at home, was a tremendous factor in the Ducks rallying from a 2-0 deficit. Vatanen finished the playoffs with one point (an assist) and a -2 rating in five games.
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Playoff Grade: A-