New Jersey Devils forwards Michael McLeod and Nathan Bastian got their first taste of playoff hockey this past spring. The former Mississauga Steelheads teammates proved they were built for the postseason with their speed, tenacity and physical play.
"The playoffs are a different beast."
Many New Jersey Devils players got their first taste of postseason hockey a little under two months ago when they faced the New York Rangers in Round 1 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Michael McLeod and Nathan Bastian were two of those players, with each appearing in 12 postseason contests.
Players who are stronger, more physical, and willing to go into the uncomfortable areas of the ice tend to perform well in the playoffs. Once the postseason begins, the spotlight shifts to the gritty bottom-six players who are tough to play against and are, in essence, built for the playoffs.
If you need an example, look no further than Tampa's former third line of Blake Coleman-Yanni Gourde-Barclay Goodrow or Devante Smith Pelly becoming an unsung playoff hero for the Washington Capitals in 2018.
Through 12 playoff games, McLeod collected six points (two goals, four assists), while Bastian earned two points (one goal, one assist). The duo contributed offensively, played well defensively, and were key members of the club's penalty kill unit.
McLeod's Surprising Playoff Performance
McLeod surprised a lot of people with his postseason performance. He was the unexpected Game 7 hero when he scored the game-winning goal versus the New York Rangers.
He led all forwards with 13 blocked shots, had a face-off win percentage of 56.88, and was tied for the second-most hits on the team with 28.
"I like playing in the playoffs with the speed. It's a simpler game," McLeod said. "You have to get on pucks. It's more about winning your battles and playing the right way. It's a lot of fun. It's what you live for, playing in the playoffs."
Head coach Lindy Ruff spoke of McLeod's style of play and why he found success in the postseason.
"You have to play fearless, and he does," Ruff said of McLeod. "You have to be ready to put your body in harm's way a lot of times, which he does. He's the type of player that will get inside and be a top guy in all those categories."
The Postseason Suited a Player Like Bastian
The Kitchener, Ontario native found ways to contribute that don't exactly show up on the scoresheet. He had no issue sacrificing his body, and his overall compete level was noticed throughout the team's entire postseason run.
"How I play in the regular season is kind of tailored towards playing well in the playoffs," said Bastian during end-of-season media availability.
He scored his first career playoff goal in Game 1 of Round 2 versus the Carolina Hurricanes and earned a secondary assist on Miles Wood's goal in Game 2.
His physical play did not go unnoticed, being credited with 26 hits through 12 games. Throughout his career, Bastian has spoken about finding ways to contribute, and whether it was scoring a goal or getting the puck out of his zone during the penalty kill, he's proved to be a player willing to do anything for his team.
Both forwards will become restricted free agents this summer and have performed well enough to earn new contracts. Over the years, fans have seen a correlation between forward depth and a successful postseason run. McLeod and Bastian have immense chemistry and possess the perfect skillset to remain in New Jersey for the foreseeable future.