When talking about the most important position on a hockey team, goalie often comes to mind. Much like a pitcher in baseball, the goalie is considered the most important because he gets the most touches in a game. Since goalies and pitchers have that uniqueness to them, the real debate comes when discussing the second-most important position. In hockey, that is the center.

As a college hockey player myself (Division III club, nothing fancy), I have spent much of my life on the ice. For most of my career, save for a short stint on defense and a 1-1-1 record as a goalie in my in-house mites league wearing a baseball glove and borrowed equipment, I’ve played forward, both center and wing. On almost every line at every level I’ve watched or played, the best, most complete player was the center.

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What a Center Does

In hockey, the center has important offensive and defensive responsibilities. In the offensive end, the center is the first wave of support in any puck scrum. He is the second man in on the forecheck and is positioned to prevent breakout passes. When his team has the puck, the center usually dishes pucks around like a quarterback. Some of the best passers in the NHL, Mat Barzal, Connor McDavid and Nicklas Backstrom, are all centers. Historically, centers are seven of the top 10 players on the all-time assists list.

In his own end, a center is the only player typically responsible for covering his opposite. In the most basic offensive zone setup, wingers cover the defensemen at the point and the defensemen take the wingers down low leaving the centers to battle each other. Offensive defensemen are becoming more and more common nowadays but centers are still the only forwards that are responsible for covering a forward in the defensive zone. With the speed the game is played at, centers are required to go from deep in the offensive zone to deep in the defensive zone quicker than ever. Otherwise, you see odd-man rushes and uncovered players in the slot.

Despite all of that, one of the biggest things a center is known for is taking faceoffs. Faceoffs are crucial in a hockey game. They begin every single play. Unlike sports like basketball that only has one tip-off or lacrosse where faceoffs only come after goals, faceoffs in hockey come after every stoppage of play. Winning a faceoff gives a team possession to clear its own zone, get an offensive opportunity or begin a rush. Winning faceoffs usually translates to winning games. A great center can give his team extra possessions.

Penguins Center Depth

Pittsburgh has had the best one-two punch at center for about 15 years now in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have challenged this of late but with how often they play together, Crosby and Malkin still have the edge.

Crosby is one of the best players in the world, maybe the best of the 21st century in the NHL. The 33-year-old is still a top-three player in the league and became the second player in league history to average a point-per-game in his first 16 seasons in the NHL. The other is Wayne Gretzky. He’s still near the top of his game and the Penguins are better when he’s on the ice.

Malkin is a former second overall pick and has the talent to be a number-one center on almost any team in the NHL. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2009 and led the league in points twice. He’s an elite player and for him to be the second-line center is a luxury for Pittsburgh.

This past trade deadline, the Penguins doubled down on center depth by acquiring Jeff Carter from the Los Angeles Kings. Carter is a two-time Stanley Cup Champion with LA but had a few down years. That changed after the trade. Carter has been productive in Pittsburgh with nine goals and 11 points in 14 games including a four-goal game against Buffalo. He’s an offensive threat on the Penguins’ third line and is winning almost 50% of his faceoffs.

Pittsburgh will likely start Teddy Blueger as its fourth-line center. He’s a typical, defensively responsible guy who won’t usually cost his team goals against. Blueger is a penalty killer and even received Selke votes last year. He’s a solid fourth-liner and rounds out a center group with no scrubs.

Islanders Center Depth

Like Pittsburgh, the Islanders have established a one-two punch at center and added to the depth via trade. They don’t have the pedigree of the Penguins’ core but there is talent in this group.

Mat Barzal is a talented puck handler and passer. His best feature is his elite skating ability. In Barry Trotz’s system, Barzal has had his struggles but the talent is undeniable. At his best, Barzal produces with the best of the best. At his worst, he is the ire of Islanders fans. The Islanders need the best of Mat Barzal if they want to go far in these playoffs.

Brock Nelson has slotted in as the second-line center for much of this season. He has a strong snapshot but has had cold streaks this year like much of the Islanders’ offense. A positive sign for Nelson is a three-game point streak near the end of the season including two goals in the final home game of the year. He’s another important part of the Islanders’ offense who can produce at a high pace.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau was the Islanders’ big acquisition at last year’s trade deadline. He filled the third-line center role and is great in all aspects. He produces offensively and is responsible in his own end. Pageau won 56.7% of his faceoffs this season, good for 11th in the NHL. He plays on the power play and penalty kill. Pageau is a do-it-all guy and a valuable asset to the Islanders.

Casey Cizikas is the fourth-line center as he’s been for a while now. Although his line hasn’t lived up to its usual standards this year, Cizikas has still been put in important positions. He is asked to take defensive-zone faceoffs and kill penalties. He’ll line up against the Penguins’ top six often and be tasked with shutting down an elite center.

Center depth is crucial in the NHL today. It is a do-it-all position and the most important skater on the ice. Recent Stanley Cup Champions had great depth down the middle and these two teams do too. The center battle could decide who wins this series.

John Smark