The always-entertaining Jeremy Roenick has been a pleasant surprise for the San Jose Sharks. (CP Images)
Where art thou, Chris Kontos?
And where have you gone, John Druce? In the immortal words of Simon and Garfunkel, a nation turns its lonely eyes to you. Well, maybe not an entire nation - just those those looking for a stiff who can put up points when it matters most.
You see them every spring, those sleeper picks that come to life once the games start to count for real, making you kick yourself for not having a bigger set of onions on draft day.
Here is a look at ten sleepers that may surprise you this spring during the 2008 NHL Playoffs:
10. ANTOINE VERMETTE, Ottawa
Hard to consider a 50-plus point guy a sleeper, I know, but with injuries to captain Daniel Alfredsson and Mike Fisher, Vermette is about to see more time than usual. Provided the Senators are around long enough, he should find the scoresheet a little more often.
9. MIKHAIL GRABOVSKI, Montreal
Grabovski only managed nine points in 24 games after being called up, but the kid tore it up in the AHL and has plenty of offensive upside. About the only chance the Bruins have in the opening round is to completely shut down Montreal's top line and powerplay, meaning guys like Grabovski may be able to take advantage.
8. PETR PRUCHA, NY Rangers
After back-to-back 40-plus point seasons, Prucha struggled in 2007-08, racking up just 17 points in 62 games. With the Rangers looking a lot like a serious threat in the East, now is as good a time as any for Prucha to get out of his funk.
7. JAN HLAVAC, Nashville
Figure this out. Hlavac had 22 points in 62 games in Tampa, but has notched 13 in 18 games since arriving in Music City. It has been enough to see Hlavac spend time on the top line, and the only reason he isn't ranked higher is the Preds' stay in the playoffs is likely to be a short one.
6. TOMAS FLEISCHMANN, Washington
Two words. Alex Ovechkin. Fleischmann managed 30 points this season but with the amount of ice time OV is likely to see this spring, everyone is sure to benefit.
5. DANIEL CLEARY, Detroit
Cleary's 42 points this season have him on the bubble between sleeper and everyday productive player, but 12 points in 18 playoff games a year ago proves he may be about to break out in a big way. It will be no surprise if that time is now.
4. GARY ROBERTS, Pittsburgh
OK, laugh if you must, but Roberts is just getting back from an injury - and no, not a broken hip - and could be worth taking a chance on. There was a time where Roberts could win a game himself once the spring rolled around. If you need further proof, ask the Senators about his days in Toronto. Oh, and guess who the Penguins are meeting in the opening round?
3. JEREMY ROENICK, San Jose
Sure, Roenick has just 33 points in 69 games but of his 14 goals, ten were game winners. This is one warhorse not quite ready for the glue farm. J.R. wants his ring, and he may get it this spring.
2. BOBBY RYAN, Anaheim
With unlimited potential, Ryan hasn't exactly exceeded expectations early in his career. That may be about to change. Ryan managed just 10 points in 23 games with the Ducks, but six of those came in his final 14 contests. And he has the luxury of playing for a team hell-bent on a second straight Stanley Cup.
1. PASCAL DUPUIS, Pittsburgh
Dupuis was an afterthought in the Marian Hossa trade but managed 12 points in 16 games in Pittsburgh after 15 all season in Not-lanta. Teams will be looking to shut down Crosby and Malkin, and that may be nothing but good news for Dupuis.