Connor Hellebuyck and Mason Marchment (Jerome Miron-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/025adc59-5374-49b6-a14d-e31ef5948574.jpeg] Connor Hellebuyck and Mason Marchment (Jerome Miron-Imagn Images) The NHL playoffs have already provided a fair share of players reaching another level, but for some high-profile names, the spotlight's not flattering. Based on their regular-season results or post-season expectations, these five NHL players are underachieving when it matters most [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/unsuspecting-post-season-heroes-the-surprising-stars-of-the-2025-stanley-cup-playoffs]. While some of them simply have another gear they can reach in the second round, others are just not good right now. Emma Lingan and Michael Augello discuss Connor Hellebuyck's struggles on the road. MASON MARCHMENT, LW, DALLAS STARS Mason Marchment enjoyed a solid regular season with more than 20 goals but has vanished in the playoffs for the Dallas Stars [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars], contributing just one goal and three points. Worse, his growing frustration boiled over when he tapped an official with his stick [https://x.com/JayOnSC/status/1922083426099745203] – a move widely condemned by broadcasters. “You can’t make contact with an official under any circumstances,” said Sportsnet’s Kelly Hrudey [https://x.com/Sportsnet/status/1921694227672740128]. Added ESPN’s Ray Ferraro [https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/video/_i-don_t-know-what-the-hell-he-was-thinking--what-was-he-doing~3132264]: “I don’t know what the hell he was thinking.” Marchment’s emotional edge, often an asset, has become a liability in the post-season. While he should feel fortunate that he escaped supplementary discipline, he’s taken five penalties and only drawn two. Combined with his low scoring, he’s not living up to the moment right now. DARNELL NURSE, D, EDMONTON OILERS Credit should go to the Edmonton Oilers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers] and their blueline, which has stepped up in the absence of the injured Mattias Ekholm. That said, Darnell Nurse struggles as often as he is useful in the playoffs, and this year is no different. As the Edmonton Journal’s David Staples pointed out [https://x.com/dstaples/status/1921983164941058082], in nine games, the Oilers’ highest-paid defenseman made major mistakes on nine even-strength goals against. With Ekholm sidelined, Nurse was elevated to play alongside Evan Bouchard, but playing alongside a top-tier defenseman hasn’t changed Nurse’s underlying numbers. Perhaps the most obvious of mistakes came in Game 3’s collapse against Vegas, which saw Nurse caught on his knees during critical goals [https://x.com/GoldenKnights/status/1921412575012782283]. MITCH MARNER, RW, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS Mitch Marner has excelled at times during this year’s playoffs with 12 points in 10 games. However, the Toronto Maple Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs]' pending UFA should achieve even more. Marner has just two goals in the post-season, including zero shots in his last two games against the Florida Panthers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers]. If Marner wants his next cap hit to be around Auston Matthews’ $13.25 million [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/marners-leverage-grows-after-strong-first-round-and-so-do-the-leafs-contract-headaches] on his next contract, he can’t lack another gear when the Leafs had a chance to take a stranglehold on the second-round series. Marner and Auston Matthews have now played four more games than Ottawa Senators [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/ottawa-senators] captain Brady Tkachuk, but they have combined for as many goals as their first-round opponent, with four. It’s tough to complain about Marner recording 12 points, the sixth-most in the NHL, but a fellow right winger whose contract expires this summer is showing how it’s done. The Stars’ Mikko Rantanen, who signed an eight-year contract extension worth $12 million per season, has nearly as many assists as Marner’s 10, with nine. The biggest difference is that Rantanen has nine goals, including two hat tricks, two game-winners and 12 even-strength points, double Marner’s six. One X user put it bluntly [https://x.com/coreylandsberg/status/1921731613995512086]: “Marner when it comes time to negotiate his contract: ‘Pay me like Rantanen.’ Marner when it comes time to play like Rantanen: ‘LMAO I’m not Rantanen.’ ” Can Someone Please Tell Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews There's A Playoff Series Going On? [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/fad78dbc-7fb0-4a21-a105-102d4d2852c2.jpeg] Can Someone Please Tell Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews There's A Playoff Series Going On? Can someone please let the Toronto Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews know that there’s a playoff series going on that desperately needs his help. [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/can-someone-please-let-maple-leafs-auston-matthews-that-theres-a-playoff-series-going-on] PIERRE-LUC DUBOIS, C, WASHINGTON CAPITALS Pierre-Luc Dubois is an interesting case study of how a player can be hot and cold throughout an NHL career. His playoff woes continue after a productive 66-point regular season. Dubois has yet to score in the post-season and has just three assists. Now with his fourth NHL team, Dubois’ reputation for disappearing remains a problem. With the Washington Capitals [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/latest-news/the-capitals-know-they-havent-been-good-enough-whats-the-solution-with-their-backs-against-the-wall] on the verge of elimination now, Dubois is a key reason the team has struggled despite being one of the hottest clubs this season. CONNOR HELLEBUYCK, G, WINNIPEG JETS Connor Hellebuyck’s playoff numbers are staggering – and not in a good way. With a .848 save percentage and 3.51 goals-against average, the Hart Trophy finalist has been a liability on the road [https://x.com/SNstats/status/1921715947905175698], going 0-4 with a .772 SP and 6.65 GAA. Outside of a Game 2 shutout, he’s failed to look anything like the goalie most expect to be a shoo-in for the Vezina this season. Not only that, but the Winnipeg Jets [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/winnipeg-jets] are now two losses away from elimination, and he must win a game in Dallas to avoid the Jets going down 3-1 in the series. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.
