Making A List

The NHL playoffs begin on April 3, and Los Angeles Kings goaltender Kelly Hrudey is ready. Here's his list of the 10 toughest players to stop on a breakaway. Surprisingly, neither teammate Wayne Gretzky nor St. Louis Blues sensation Brett Hull makes it.

1. Pat LaFontaine, New York Islanders: He gets a lot of breakaways with his speed. No one has his lateral movement.

2. Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins: He can pick the lower and upper corners with ease.

3. Steve Yzerman, Detroit Red Wings: You know it's going to the top, glove side, and you still can't stop it.

4. Steve Larmer, Chicago Blackhawks: You don't know where the puck is going.

5. Joe Nieuwendyk, Calgary Flames: He's unpredictable, with a long reach and a scary wrist shot.

6. Theoren Fleury, Calgary Flames: He moves well laterally, and he knows what the goalie wants to do.

7. Joe Sakic, Quebec Nordiques: You can't read him at all.

8. Petr Klima, Edmonton Oilers: A great faker, he can hit any corner.

9. Mark Messier, Edmonton Oilers: He's intimidating because you know he's dying to score on you.