Forget about his previous playoff campaigns; and while we’re on the topic ignore the fact that he has only produced three goals and fifteen points in forty-two postseason appearances.

Throw it all out the window.

Instead, think about the player who has led one of the National Hockey League’s most prestigious teams in scoring over the past two seasons.

Know the name Pavel Datsyuk.

Remember that it was the effort of number 13 that proved to be the pivotal key in bringing Lord Stanley’s Cup back to Hockeytown.

That’s right, the Red Wings’ hopes don’t fall on the play of Dominik “the Dominator” Hasek, as most people would tell you, basically because Hasek will simply do that… dominate.

Saying a playoff series all depends on the play (or lack there of) of the guy in between the pipes is entirely false. It’s like saying a football game is won or lost solely on the play of the quarterback. Such a statement is constantly played out.

We all know that there are always sixteen teams each and every year when the playoffs begin; that means there are sixteen starting goalies with their respective backups. This equation equals up to eight of the goaltenders playing sound hockey, and usually eight others forcing their head coach to pull them and then likely starting the backup the following game in a last ditch effort to save a series.

We also know that the game can not end in a scoreless tie due to unearthly performances by the goaltenders. Someone will have to score eventually.

What we don’t know on the other hand is who is going to be that player who scores and stands out above the rest.

Let me be the first to tell you that Datsyuk is that one player.

Start expecting him to be on every highlight reel known as he cuts his way though the opposing team’s defense and either dishes out a pass to a teammate to score or puts the puck past some of the best goalies in the NHL himself.

Datsyuk possesses every quality ever wanted in a forward. He has speed, vision, balance, superior stick handling, and of course the goal scoring touch. Not to mention he has nearly 47 million other reasons to perform well during these playoffs.

It’s simply due to this that proves Datsyuk is too good of a player to be held down for so long. This spring will prove that point as he will stop the questions that surround his lack of production during the playoffs, and while Datsyuk might not be the first player in line to raise the Stanley Cup above his head, he should be.