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2010 Stanley Cup Finals: Don’t forget about Matt Carle

Image (1) Carle-thumb-250x166-13015.jpg for post 1968

Much of the focus in this series has been the play of Chris Pronger, the mythical veteran on the Flyers that everyone gravitates to in order to get his take on the team, the series and the games. He plays nearly 30 minutes every game and at times he’s out on the ice for an extraordinary amount of time. He’s been instrumental in shutting down Dustin Byfuglien, and the top line of the Chicago Blackhawks been frankly horrible against the Flyers.

Yet there is one player who deserves much more attention than he’s receiving, and I’m sure he’d rather it stay that way.

Matt Carle is spending almost as much time on the ice as Pronger, as the two have developed into one of the most consistent and dominant defensive pairing in the postseason. There’s no doubt that Carle has played a major role in his team’s success, and on Friday night was in the right place at the right time when he found the puck on his stick down low for a big goal late in the first period.

Coach Peter Laviolette says that Carle is a quiet, unassuming player who just does his job exactly the way is should be done.

“I’ve said this all year, Matt has to play against the same players that Chris is playing against, and they’re usually pretty good players,” said Laviolette yesterday after the team arrived in Chicago.

“For somebody that doesn’t have the same stature and size as Chris on the ice, he’s a smaller player, he defends very well. He uses his -- he positions himself well in the defensive zone. He never really puts himself in a bad position. He makes it really good first pass. He gets himself out of trouble with his skating. They’ve been a really good pair the entire year.”

What’s more impressive is that Carle is able to be just as effective as Pronger without resorting to the same methods, the same intimidation factors that Pronger is infamous for. You never expect Carle to take a dumb penalty for cross checking or retaliation, and Pronger says that sometimes Carle is overlooked for just how good he is defensively.

"[Carle is a] very steadying influence on the ice,” said Pronger. “Makes a great first pass. Reads a play very well. And is a solid defender. I think a lot of times guys that can make plays and see the ice as well as he does and jumps in the attack, their defensive play gets overlooked a lot. He’s obviously playing with me matched up against the top line. Does a great job.”

Believe it or not but Pronger is very modest when it comes to his role in shutting down the Hawks, stating time and again he’s just doing his job. But ask him about Carle and he’s forthcoming, very willing to heap praise upon his young linemate.

Carle has bounced around a bit in the NHL before landing with the Flyers last season, but it’s a playoff performance like this one that truly defines a career. Pronger may be getting all the attention but the ones who really watch the game, the ones that really matter -- they know just how good he’s been.