Giguere is traditionally a strong second-half goalie.

The trade deadline has passed which means the final month of the NHL season is near. This week I’ll take a look at some players who I believe are poised to have strong finishes to the 2008-09 campaign.

 

 

Niklas Backstrom, Goalie, Minnesota Wild

Statistics: 53 GP, 29-19-3, 2.29 GAA, .923 SV%, 6 SO

 

Despite having a breakout season, Backstrom was still part of many trade rumors leading up to the deadline. He can now focus solely on hockey after Minnesota signed him to a four-year extension. Backstrom is in the NHL’s top five in wins, goals-against-average, save percentage and shutouts. 

 

 

Johan Franzen, Left Wing, Detroit Red Wings

Statistics: 54 GP, 26 G, 15 A, 41 PTS, Plus-12

 

Franzen has not scored much of late with one goal in his last six games but if last season’s stretch run is any indication, the winger could have a strong finish to the season. In his final 16 games in 2007-08, Franzen scored 15 goals. It does not hurt that he has recently been playing alongside Pavel Datsyuk on Detroit’s top line. Datsyuk is fourth in the league in assists with 52.

 

 

J. S. Giguere, Goalie, Anaheim Ducks

Statistics: 41 GP, 17-16-5, 3.13 GAA, .902 SV%, 2 SO

 

The veteran netminder is having a down season but has regained the confidence of coach Randy Carlyle. Giguere has started Anaheim’s past six games allowing more than three goals only once during that span. The 2003 Conn Smythe Trophy winner has proven to be a strong late-season goalie in the past compiling a 2.26 goals-against-average and 27-10-3 record in March and April over his previous three seasons.

 

 

Martin Havlat, Right Wing, Chicago Blackhawks

Statistics: 62 GP, 21 G, 36 A, 57 PTS, Plus-21

 

Chicago’s leading scorer has been absolutely tearing it up of late with 15 points in his last nine games. Havlat is on pace to set his career high for points in a season. The veteran winger will be a key component to Chicago’s push toward the playoffs.

 

 

Patrick Kane, Right Wing, Chicago Blackhawks

Statistics: 60 GP, 20 G, 36 A, 56 PTS, Plus-2

 

It is no surprise that Kane’s stretch of one goal in 21 games between January and February coincided with an ankle injury that he struggled to play through. But last season’s Calder Memorial Trophy winner appears to be regaining his strength with 10 points over his last nine games. The more Kane shoots the puck, the more he finds success. In January, he had only three points while averaging 2.58 shots-per-game. Kane’s numbers improved dramatically in February when he totaled 11 points while averaging 3.83 shots-per-game.

 

 

Dion Phaneuf, Defense, Calgary Flames

Statistics: 64 GP, 9 G, 28 A, 37 PTS, Minus-4

 

The All-Star defenseman has been a bit of a disappointment. Along with a minus-4 rating, Phaneuf is on pace to total his fewest points in a season. He is still a superstar who has 110 points, 280 penalty minutes and a plus-22 rating combined over his past two seasons. Phaneuf has played much better of late with four points and a plus-7 rating while averaging nearly four shots-per-game over his past six games.

 

 

Paul Stastny, Center, Colorado Avalanche

Statistics: 39 GP, 10 G, 24 A, 34 PTS, Minus-4

 

Since returning after missing two months with a broken forearm, Stastny has three assists in five games. Last season, the youngster suffered through a January injury only to return in mid-February and finish the season with 22 points in 20 games. Once Stastny gets back in game shape, expect him to put up decent numbers.

 

 

Steve Sullivan, Left Wing, Nashville Predators

Statistics: 24 GP, 7 G, 10 A, 17 PTS, Plus-2

 

The veteran winger is starting to show signs of life for the first time since missing nearly two seasons with back injuries. Sullivan is clicking well with linemates Jason Arnott (27-22-49) and

J.P. Dumont (12-39-51) and has been a key to Nashville’s current six-game win streak. In his past eight games, Sullivan has seven goals and five assists for 12 points.

 

 

Mats Sundin, Center, Vancouver Canucks

Statistics: 22 GP, 6 G, 9 A, 15 PTS, Minus-2

 

The midseason acquisition has been inconsistent since joining Vancouver. But Sundin has three assists in his last two games and the Canucks have been on fire with an 11-2 record since the start of February. Sundin has been a consistent late-season producer in the past. He averaged 1.3 points-per-game in March and April over his past three seasons.