One minute left. It's a one-goal game. ESPN's hockey analysts were asked who'd they put on the ice if they needed to score or were protecting the lead:

Barry Melrose

	Barry Melrose

Down a goal: On defense, I'd want the Brian Leetch and Nicklas Lidstrom: They have great passing and skating ability and possess strong shots from the point. At center, Steve Yzerman: He's excellent on draws and he's a 600-goal guy, so he's a perfect fit. At right wing, Brett Hull: He's a classic shooter, another 600-goal guy who has been a clutch scorer throughout his career. At left wing, Pavel Bure: I love his speed; he backs defensemen off the line, which opens things up, and he's also a clutch scorer (50-plus goals the past three seasons). And for the extra skater, Luc Robitaille: He's as good as anyone I've seen in front of the net.

Up a goal: On defense, Chris Pronger and Rob Blake: They have imposing size, strength and superior skating ability; they're great defensive players. At center, Michael Peca: He's good on draws and strong on defense -- a very smart defensive player. At right wing, Mike Keane, and at left wing, Mike Modano: They're great skaters, intelligent players and strong defenders.

Brian Engblom

	Brian Engblom

I agonized over which five and six players I would want on the ice in the last minute of play. I composed a list of about 25 players -- just for the team that was down a goal. Really, you could make a case for any combination of about 25 guys out there. But since I had to choose:

Down a goal: Assuming that everyone is healthy, Mario Lemieux -- just because he's Mario and makes plays mere mortals can't make. Calgary's Jarome Iginla is an all-purpose guy who's big and strong, will go to the net, and can score from different areas. Next, Patrik Elias because he has an incredible shot and feel for the scoring area. Eric Lindros has re-established himself and in the last minute of the game, you need a power-guy down low at the net. Iginla and Lindros can do that. On the blue line, I'd want Detroit defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom and Pittsburgh forward Alexei Kovalev. Kovalev is just so dynamic on the power play, both his slap and wrist shot are unsurpassed. He adds a lot to the play because he'll gamble, go on instincts and know when to jump down low and be a fifth forward.

Up a goal: At center: Mike Modano is a talented faceoff man with great instincts, wheels, skating ability and puck control. He can literally pull away from guys and hold on to the puck that extra 3-5 seconds, get it down the ice then pursue it in the other end. It's important to have a second centerman for faceoffs in your own zone, so Steve Yzerman would be the other because he knows exactly what the other team and players want to do and where to go in every scenario. Gary Roberts from Toronto has experience and a really tough mental attitude. He'll go to the end of the rink or right through the wall -- whatever it takes to make that little play to get the puck out of his own end. Back on the point, Adam Foote and Chris Pronger: If you do score against them, you may not live to celebrate. Foote and Pronger are the meanest, nastiest guys with talent. They thrive in this scenario and will dare you to score on their goal.

Darren Pang

	Darren Pang

Down a goal: Nicklas Lidstrom and Al MacInnis on the points. There is no better player at getting the puck up the ice than Lidstrom. With these two at the point, MacInnis can fire the one-timer off the perfect, flat pass from Lidstrom. You will also have no problem getting the puck out of your zone to set up the game-tying goal. Joe Sakic, Brendan Shanahan, Jarome Iginla, and a healthy Mario Lemieux will round out the forwards. Sakic has the explosiveness to get in the zone and he can get off a quick shot with time running out. While Shanny and Iginla are both right shots, they play opposite wings for one timers (Shanny) and getting in front of the net(Iginla). Lemieux sets up shop down low and directs traffic. He's the firmest passer in the game, perfect when getting the puck back to the points.

Up a goal: Chris Pronger and Scott Stevens on the blue line. Pronger has the longest reach in hockey and he can play mean in front of the net. Stevens still puts the fear into players when coming across the blueline. In a defensive position, I would have Steve Yzerman take the faceoff to get control of the puck, although he is a great shot blocker as well. One winger would be Jere Lehtinen for his strong skating and intelligence on the defensive side of the puck. It's good to have two guys who can take faceoffs, so I'd throw Mike Ricci in there to protect the lead; he has a good stick and knows what to do in tight situations.

ESPN's Last-Minute Men
MELROSE	ENGBLOM	PANG
Down a goal Nicklas Lidstrom, D Brian Leetch, D Pavel Bure, LW Steve Yzerman, C Brett Hull, RW Luc Robitaille, 6th	Down a goal Nicklas Lidstrom, D Alexei Kovalev, D/F Patrik Elias, LW Mario Lemieux, C Jarome Iginla, RW Eric Lindros, 6th	Down a goal Nicklas Lidstrom, D Al MacInnis, D Brendan Shanahan, LW Joe Sakic, C Jarome Iginla, RW Mario Lemieux, 6th
Up a goal Chris Pronger, D Rob Blake, D Mike Modano, LW Michael Peca, C Mike Keane, RW	Up a goal Chris Pronger, D Adam Foote, D Mike Modano, C/W Steve Yzerman, C Gary Roberts, LW	Up a goal Chris Pronger, D Scott Stevens, D Mike Ricci, LW Steve Yzerman, C Jere Lehtinen, RW