Cedric Paquette, unfazed by Jonathan Toews, is making a name for himself

Cedric Paquette, brash and unfazed by his matchup against Jonathan Toews, has become a key player for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup Final.

Sarah Barshop | Jun 9, 2015

Cedric Paquette, unfazed by Jonathan Toews, is making a name for himself /

CHICAGO — Cedric Paquette may not have made the Tampa Bay Lightning’s roster out of training camp, but he certainly left an impression.

The 21-year-old, a 2012 fourth-round pick who had played in only two NHL games prior to this season, tried to immediately show Lightning coach Jon Cooper why he belonged in the league.

“He [was] pissing me off in training camp,” center Brian Boyle said. “I was like, ‘Who the hell is this kid?’”

The reaction by his veteran teammate didn’t faze Paquette in the least.

“I was there to make the team, I didn’t care who was in front of me,” he said. “I was going to push him, cross-check him, even if it was Boyle.”

Paquette’s determination in camp never faded. Lightning captain Steven Stamkos now includes the rookie center among the players he says “are finally getting rewarded for how hard they’re working,” adding, “you know what you’re going to get from him” every game and can count on him.

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Paquette began the season with the Lightning’s AHL team, the Syracuse Crunch, but quickly earned a call-up on Nov. 5 after putting up four goals, seven points and a +8 in five games. “Going down and being recalled, since then I’ve matured,” he said after Tampa Bay's 3–2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. “I was just trying to make the team and it didn’t happen. I went down, I dominated I can say, it went well, my two-way game was there. Jon watched those games and was happy with my performance."

Watch: Lightning win Game 3 on late goal by Cedric Paquette

In 64 regular-season games with Tampa Bay, Paquette demonstrated some offensive flair along with solid defensive skills that earned Cooper's trust, enabling the coach to frequently match him up against the opposing team’s top center. On Monday night, Paquette scored the game-winning goal and helped the Lightning take back home ice from the Blackhawks in their best-of-seven series. After winning a face-off against Patrick Sharp during the third period, he found himself between two Chicago defenders in front of goalie Corey Crawford where he took Victor Hedman’s pass from the left corner and sent a one-timer into the net at 16:49.

Paquette, who also scored in Game 2 of the series, has also been called upon to match up against Jonathan Toews, who Tampa Bay defenseman Anton Stralman calls “maybe the best centerman in the league." The kid has hardly been intimidated by the assignment, saying it has been a lot of fun to play against Toews who he watched win the Conn Smythe Trophy while leading the Blackhawks to the Cup in 2010 and saw as a dominant force.

On Monday night, in a nod at the effectiveness of Paquette and his linemates Ryan Callahan and J.T. Brown, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville used his last change to stay away from the matchup that had dogged Chicago in Games 1 and 2.

“We didn’t play quite as much against [Toews] tonight because of the line changes,” Paquette said. “I think Jon (Cooper) told himself, ‘F-- it, we’ve got four lines that can play against anybody.’”

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Though his goal was a definite highlight for Paquette, he took pride in blocking Brent Seabrook’s shot with 1:08 to go and the Lightning clinging to their slim lead.

“Obviously scoring the winning goal is really special, every hockey player dreams of that and it’s the same for me,” he said. “But blocking shots is my job. Even though I score a goal, I’m not going to change my role on this team. I’m not going to score 50 goals next year. I’m still there to block shots late in games.”

Looking back to training camp and how far he has come, Paquette noted how “incredible the emotions” have been since the beginning of the season. “And even when things weren’t going as well at the start of the playoffs I just kept my game simple and I think I’m being rewarded since the start of the Final.”

Said Stralman, “He’s really easy to play defense and in the corners with, because he’s very responsible in that way and sacrifices his body taking shots. I bet he’s a real tough player to play against.”

The Blackhawks probably won't argue with that, and if they've wondered like Brian Boyle did who the hell this kid is, they're learning fast.

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Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final

SI's Best Photos from Game 3: The Tampa Bay Lightning improved to 8-3 on the road in the playoffs with their 3-2 victory in Chicago in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Cedric Paquette scored with 3:11 remaining to silence the Chicago crowd.

The Lightning also got goals out of Ryan Callahan and Ondrej Palat. Here, Johnny Oduya (27) of the Blackhawks battles to clear the puck from the Chicago zone.

Victor Hedman had two assists for Tampa Bay while playing stout defense on Chicago's top forwards. (Text credit: AP)

Jonathan Toews (19) and the Chicago Blackhawks now find themselves trailing two games to one in the best-of-seven series.

Ben Bishop made 36 saves in a gutsy performance after he was questionable coming into the game. (Text credit: AP)

This was the third straight one-goal game in the Final.

Brad Richards and Brandon Saad scored for the Blackhawks.

Corey Crawford made 29 stops.

Tampa Bay is on a two-game winning streak headed into Wednesday's Game 4.

Braydon Coburn tries to deal with Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa.

Brenden Morrow of the Lightning falls between two Blackhawk defenders as he attempts to control the puck.

The Lightning got the first goal for the fourth straight time when Ryan Callahan sent this shot over Corey Crawford's left shoulder at 5:09 of the first.

Ryan Callahan (right) celebrates the first goal of game 3 with teammate Alex Killorn.

This shot by Brad Richards (not pictured) goes in to tie the game at 1-1.

Players from the Lightning celebrate after Ondrej Palat (18) scored their second goal, a mere 13 seconds after Chicago had taken a 2-1 lead.

Published Jun 9, 2015

SARAH BARSHOP