Vancouver Canucks right wing Steve Bernier controls the puck ahead of Nashville Predators right wing Patric Hornqvist in the second period of an NHL hockey game on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009 in Nashville, Tenn.Mark Humphrey/The Associated Press
When the Vancouver Canucks began their Western Conference quarter-final against the Los Angeles Kings nearly two weeks ago, few would have picked Steve Bernier as the X-factor in the series.
But Vancouver's would-be power forward was just that, scoring three goals in the final two games as the Canucks closed out the Kings in six games and advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bernier's rise in the series was unlikely because he mostly played on the fourth line, alongside non-scorers, and was coming off a second straight disappointing regular season in Vancouver. That included sports hernia surgery in March that cost him 17 games, and only allowed for his return to the lineup on April 6, with just three tune-ups remaining before the playoffs.
"It feels nice to help this team win," said Bernier, who had Vancouver's opening goals in each of the last two games. "All year, good or bad, I've been saying 'forget about the past and think about the future.' I had a pretty good first round, so I'll look to bring it to the second round and play even better. That's our focus."
Bernier's four goals (two on the power play) are tied for second on the team with Daniel Sedin, three behind Mikael Samuelsson. It was also tied for seventh among postseason scorers heading into games last night.
Goals haven't come easy for the Quebec City native over his five-year NHL career, but they have come in spurts. Bernier erupted onto the scene in San Jose during the 2005-06 season, scoring 10 goals in just his second full month in the league.
But since then, the search for consistency has sent him to the Buffalo Sabres, and now the Canucks. He has always struggled with acceleration, and his hands are hardly golden.
At this stage, however, Bernier may be finding his niche: a bottom-six winger who can play physically - even if he is lighter this year, down 12 pounds to 218 - and be an effective net-front presence on the power play.
"He's been great," said centre Kyle Wellwood, who plays with Bernier on the second power-play unit and occasionally on a regular line. "He's been physical in front, and he's not just trying to get in front of the goalie, which I think has changed a bit from the regular season."
Dropping anchor in front of the goal has its detriments, however. Defenceman Alexander Edler "hit him with a pretty good" slap shot during a game in Los Angeles last week, but Bernier persisted and kept irritating Kings goalie Jonathan Quick.
Persistence was also a Bernier trademark this season. He suffered the hernia injury around Christmas, but tried to play through it before succumbing to surgery in March.
The injury led to another underwhelming season - just 11 goals and 22 points, down 10 from last year - but the 25-year-old is already on the road to redemption during the postseason, and has earned a "playoff performer" tag from Canucks fans.
"This team was playing well [down the stretch] and I was at home, and the only thing I was focused on was getting ready," Bernier said. "I saw this team get a spot in the playoffs, and my focus was to get as ready as possible, as fast as possible. I told myself that if I have my chance, try and take it. So far, so good."