MONTREAL, QC - NOVEMBER 07: Max Pacioretty
Phillip Danault is one of the best shutdown centres in the NHL, and these past playoffs, he showed the entire world how valuable he is to the Montreal Canadiens by shutting down some of the best lines in the league.
Although he barely has any offensive production, the Montreal Canadiens managed to produce with the help of other players and Danault and his line were mostly used to shut down top lines.
Toronto Maple Leafs? Check. Winnipeg Jets? Check. Vegas Golden Knights? Check.
Danault even made it somewhat difficult for the Tampa Bay Lightning to score, and if that doesn’t say much, I don’t know what does.