Playoff time has never been the time to play pretty. In fact, I have found that it is just the opposite. When the regular season ends and we get to the real hockey, it is critically important to make the “right” play over the flashy play. As a defenseman, my teammates count on me to be in the right position AND always ready to keep the other team from getting a scoring chance. In the playoffs, we have so much less time to make the cute play because every other player on the ice is giving everything that they have every shift. Most of the fans understand that some of the things that we can get away with during the regular season simply will not fly when you get to the games that matter. Think about it, how many times have you seen a cutsie goal like a Michigan during a playoff game? You almost never do. Because at the highest level, and during the games that matter the most, professionals are trying to get the job done…not make the highlight reel.