Let’s get one thing out of the way: Johnny Gaudreau is one heck of a hockey player.
Moreover, at various levels throughout hockey, he’s built a reputation as a clutch big game performer. Aside from during the Stanley Cup playoffs. Until Sunday night, that is.
Johnny Hockey’s big game bonafides date back many years.
As a junior star for the United States Hockey League’s Dubuque Fighting Saints, he was second in playoff scoring as a rookie as he helped his team capture a Clark Cup as league champions. He had assists on the series-winning goals in the first two playoff rounds, and had a goal in Dubuque’s rout over Green Bay to capture the championship.