Comparing Players: Montreal Canadiens vs Boston Bruins

May 3, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) makes a save on Montreal Canadiens center Tomas Plekanec (14) during the second period in game two of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Patrice Bergeron vs Tomas Plekanec

If I had to start a team with choosing my shutdown center first, these are some of the premier choices out there. What I’m looking for is faceoff percentages, tenacity, points, and the intangibles such as grit, pedigree and class. A great 2-way pivot doesn’t need to be your first line scoring threat, but he does need to put up significant numbers while denying the opposition.

Patrice Bergeron has literally done it all. From winning the cup, World Junior Championship, or Olympic Gold, the man literally has a trophy case of rings. He’s won not one but two Selke Trophies (2012, 2014) proving at his position there are few, if any better than him. He’s also one of the premier faceoff specialist in the league.

Tomas Plekanec is a man on a mission most nights. He’s never won a Selke Trophy, nor does he have a cup to his name. But he’s also won a World Junior championship, and has picked up a silver and two bronze medals for the Czech Republic at the world championships. He’s played in 2 Olympics and was caption of the Czech team at the 2014 winter games.

Statline

The Question becomes more of what do you prefer? The faceoff specialist who played with broken ribs and a punctured lung during a playoff run, or the classy vet who has had more linemates than most teams have wingers but still manages to get the job done?