Daniel Paille may play fourth-line minutes, but he is not your average checking-line forward, and the Chicago Blackhawks are finding that out in the Stanley Cup finals.
In a series that has been nearly even, it has been Paille that has served as the difference maker. He has scored game-winning goals in consecutive games, lifting the Boston Bruins to a 2-1 series lead after Monday night's 2-0 win at TD Garden.
"I think I'm just happy that we got the win," Paille said. "Fortunately, it was the game winner and I'll be excited about it. More excited that we won."
If you don't watch closely, you might hear Paille's name but miss his contributions. He entered the finals with just two postseason goals and none in six games. He has not played more than 15 minutes in any of the Bruins' non-overtime games.
For three series, Paille was the left-winger on Boston's fourth line — known as 'the Merlot line' for its purple-colored practice sweaters. Yet, when Gregory Campbell sustained a broken leg against Pittsburgh, fears were that that Paille and Shawn Thornton would suffer without their center.
Instead, Boston Coach Claude Julien split the pair, moving Paille to the Bruins' third line with Tyler Seguin and Chris Kelly, and Paille's play has suited them nicely. They have scored three of Boston's seven goals.
"They play all three zones," Kelly said, adding that it makes his job in the center "that much easier when you have two responsible wingers."
Seguin also set up Paille's overtime game-winner in Game 2. Seguin, who did not record a point in Boston's Eastern Conference finals sweep over Pittsburgh, now has assists in all three finals games.
"I think we are just moving well and, for the most part, we are holding onto the puck," Paille said of their line, and specifically Seguin. "I think puck possession has been key for us especially. You really see him moving his legs. That helps a lot."
Paille has also played a big role on Boston's stingy penalty kill, playing nearly six minutes of shorthanded time through three games, helping Boston kill all 11 Chicago power plays.
"The penalty killing I think we just went back to our game, and they have a lot of talent up there forwards,"Paille said. "We know that, and I think that's why we want to try harder. I think we've been able to frustrate them right now."
Paille even offers his teammates some comic relief in the most intense of series.
Kelly said he is "always twitching, always fixing something on the bench. It puts a smile on my face. It doesn't matter if there's a minute left in the game."
After being cast off by Buffalo — he was traded to Boston in 2009 for two low draft picks — Paille has made a home for himself in Julien's system.
"Especially over the last year, he's been putting a lot of confidence in myself and a couple other guys," Paille said of Julien. "With the coach that has the confidence in you, you feel like you want to do something for it. You want to deserve it. We know we've been able to do that these last couple of games and we need to continue that."
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