Deslauriers enjoying first-ever postseason experience

ST. PAUL -- Nicolas Deslauriers has played in 506 games during an NHL career that has spanned parts of nine seasons with different clubs.
But until Monday night, Deslauriers -- the Wild's tough, grinding winger -- had never once skated in a Stanley Cup Playoff game.
It's an experience this season where he hopes to make up for lost time.

"A lot of guys, their goal is to win the Stanley Cup. And that's mine as well, but at one point, it was just to play in one playoff game," Deslauriers said. "You dream of winning the Stanley Cup, but you have to make it to the postseason to be able to do that. I think I put myself in that situation this year. I said it out loud, I want to be a playoff guy, to prove that my role can be effective. A little unlucky it didn't work where I was before, but I'm really happy where I'm at right now."

The fact that Deslauriers hadn't played in a playoff game until this season is a bit surprising, considering his style of play sure looks conducive to playoff success.
In 20 games with Minnesota during the regular season, he tallied three goals. But it's not the offense or an appearance on the scoresheet where he brings the most value.
His linemates, and his more skilled teammates, are able to stand a little bit taller just by having his presence on the ice. Tyson Jost, with whom Deslauriers shares a line and like Deslauriers, was also a trade deadline acquisition, said recently that he's never had more room to skate than when he's on the ice with him.
It's a style of play, specifically against a St. Louis Blues team that is equally tough and physical, that should translate.
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"For sure, and I've watched it. Every time you're not in the playoffs, you watch the games and you kind of think, 'maybe I can be a momentum changer,'" Deslauriers said. "I know what I bring, I know how to bring it and I'm going to try and bring it as many times as I can when I'm on the ice as often as I can and hopefully change a little bit of momentum, and at the same time, help our team win."
It's a fine line the veteran forward must walk.
St. Louis ranked second in the NHL in power play percentage during the regular season, and the Wild was the third-most penalized team in the league. Needless to say, Minnesota would prefer this series stay 5-on-5 as much as possible.
That's where Deslauriers' game is different than others who may play a similar, grinding, physical style. Those 500-plus games of experience playing the same way and honing his niche in the NHL have provided him with the requisite restraint to do his job and do it without fear that he may put his team shorthanded.
"What sets him apart is he's a physical guy but he's an extremely disciplined guy," said Wild coach Dean Evason. "I think if you look back at his history I bet you don't see him flying off the handle very often. He's physical, he's calm, and when push comes to shove obviously he can fight with the best of them."
And while he doesn't shy away from the opportunity to drop the mitts or defend teammates, Deslauriers has also proven he can do a lot more than that, including chip in with some occasional offense ... and some skilled offense at that.

"He can skate, he can hit, he kills penalties," Evason noted. "He does a lot of right things for his hockey club and we're going to need that going forward."
Deslauriers has also fit in perfectly with his new teammates from a personality standpoint, meshing seamlessly with Wild players old and new.
Now he'll try and help lead them to unprecedented new heights, while also experiencing them for the very first time himself.
"I'm real excited but I try not to overthink things," Deslauriers said. "It's the same thing ... it's a hockey game. There's a little bit more meaning to it. But I'm excited for sure. I'm not a guy to get nerves, they usually don't affect me. But I'll obviously have a little more jump for sure."