Paul Martin hits another NHL playoff milestone; several Minnesotans still in postseason race

Minnesota native Paul Martin played his 100th career NHL playoff game last week.

The Elk River-product and Gophers alum has help the San Jose Sharks build a 3-2 lead in the Stanley Cup playoffs Western Conference finals. The defenseman has an assist in each of the last two games and five throughout the postseason, adding to his career playoff totals of 40 assists and 45 points. He's among the top three shot blockers this postseason with 45.

Martin is one of several Minnesotans or former standouts from the state's Division 1 hockey programs still competing for the Stanley Cup. Here's a quick look at some of the remaining bunch and how they've fared through three rounds of the postseason:

Phil Kessel, Pittsburgh, forward
Minnesota connection: Gophers alum
Kessel's 17 points (eight goals, nine assists) are the sixth-most this postseason and average out to 1.06 points per game.

Matt Cullen, Pittsburgh, forward
Minnesota connection: Moorhead native and St. Cloud State alum
Cullen has four goals and two assists this postseason.

David Backes, St. Louis, forward
Minnesota connection: Minneapolis native and Minnesota State Mankato alum
Backes' 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) are ranked 11th among top postseason scorers.

Justin Braun, San Jose, defenseman
Minnesota connection: St. Paul native
Braun has four assists, a plus-7 rating, and is among the top six shot blockers with 35.

Brent Burns, San Jose, defenseman
Minnesota connection: Former Wild first-round pick (20th overall)
Burns leads all defenseman in scoring this postseason and is tied for third overall with 19 points (six goals, 13 assists). He also has a plus-4 rating and 32 blocked shots.

J.T. Brown, Tampa Bay, forward
Minnesota connection: Grew up in Rosemount and Minnesota Duluth alum
Brown has two assists in seven games and 77-plus minutes of ice time.