The Bruins are not a team with a superstar playmaker or premier goal-scoring winger, but there is one big presence that has become the face of the franchise.
Bruins captain Zdeno Chara was listed as the No. 1 defenseman heading into the 2011-12 NHL season.
Chara, who has often been overlooked as a franchise player because he commands the blue line and doesn't light the lamp 30 times per year, had the best plus/minus (+16) of all skaters in the postseason. He was fourth among all skaters in ice time as well.
Chara and defensive partner Dennis Seidenberg shut down the Sedin brothers in the Stanley Cup Final and helped stifle the league's top power play unit. The captain played a large role in returning the Cup to Boston and is finally being recognized as the most dominant defenseman in the NHL.
David Krecji, the 2011 postseason's leading scorer, was merely an honorable mention for centers. Patrice Bergeron made the list at No. 19.
Nathan Horton ranked No. 19 as well, but in the right winger category. Milan Lucic, a 30-goal scorer in the regular season, came in at No. 6 for left wingers.
