Down a goal:
Al MacInnis: hardest shot in the league, and keeps the puck in well.
Rob Blake: another hard shot, can set up the forwards with his passing ability.
Keith Tkachuk: park him in the front of the net and gather the rebounds.
Brett Hull: who can argue with the Golden Brett?
Joe Sakic: good at draws and his wrist shot is unmatched.
Mario Lemieux: makes plays happen.

Up a goal:
Chris Pronger: ruthless defender, former Norris Trophy winner.
Adam Foote: ruthless, but also great at reading plays.
Craig Conroy: probably one of the greatest defensive forwards in the league.
Mike Modano: great draw man, very quick to the puck.
Mike Keane: experienced, blocks shots well and often.

Corey Schmidt
St. Louis, Mo.

WOW! I thought it would be cliche to pick the best goal scorers over the last few years, but since the "experts" didn't, I will. What about a line of Jaromir Jagr, Pavel Bure and Peter Bondra, with Paul Kariya as the extra skater? Backed up by Brian Leetch and Sergei Gonchar? Goalies would be running for the hills! Those guys would not only tie the game up, but give you the lead as well!

Dow Lynch
Reston, Va.

Down a goal: Forwards -- Mario Lemieux, Joe Sakic, Patrik Elias; Defenseman -- Nicklas Lidstrom; D/4th forward, Alexei Kovalev; sixth skater, Luc Robitaille. All those players have great skills and know how to pass, while Sakic is dangerous with his sniper shot from the circles. Mario and Lucky Luc both can play physical and Robitaille is able to screen the goalie like nobody else. Kovalev and Elias both give tremendous speed and skills to the power play as well.

Up a goal:Forwards -- Mike Modano, Jere Lehtinen, Stephane Yelle; Defensemen -- Adam Foote, Chris Pronger. If there are two walls in the league on defense they are Foote and Pronger. Foote is still underrated, just like his teammate Stephane Yelle. Lehtinen and Modano both won the Selke already, so that speaks for itself. If Yelle finds the net like Jere and Mike did/do he would be a candidate for that trophy as well.

Sascha Staat
Solingen, Germany

These may turn out a little biased but...
Down a goal: On the left side, Mario: 'cause he's Mario. At center, Ron Francis: he's gonna get you the puck no matter where you are. On the right side, Pavel Bure: because, like Barry said, he keeps the D honest with his speed. On the points, I want Rob Blake to bomb away on the net, and Alexei Kovalev across the way to do the same or work it in down low. As an extra attacker, I'd want someone big and strong and ready to crash the net. For me, that'd be Bobby Holik, who has become more than just a guy who will be physical, he's been scoring goals too.

Up a goal: Steve Yzerman and Ron Francis have got to be out there together, to have dual faceoff threats. Francis may be getting up there in years, but I'm still cemented in his corner. I'd also take Theo Fleury on the wing. He's a veteran who is going to be responsible and is tenacious enough to put pressure on the opposition until the final whistle. On defense, I'd take Nicklas Lidstrom who is becoming a savvy, intelligent veteran, and Chris Pronger just to punish anyone who got within ten feet of the net.

Matt Olbrys
Pittsburgh, Pa.

He's 40-years-old and miles over the hill you say? Say what you want, when the money is on the line, I want Mark Messier out there that last minute!

Jim Vazquez
Dover, N.J.

Down a goal: Forwards: Eric Lindros, Keith Tkachuk, Mario Lemieux and Paul Kariya. No one lets it fly off the pass better than Kariya. Lemieux can pass from anywhere on the ice and can find the open guy better than anyone that doesn't wear No. 99. Lindros and Tkachuk are among the best in the league at scoring from in tight and working the trenches. Defense: Brian Leetch and Al MacInnis. Leetch would thrive in a situation like this. If he's not the best, he's a close second at keeping the puck in the zone, and he is an excellent passer along with his ability to gain the blue line. MacInnis has the hardest, heaviest shot in hockey. I'd hate to be the goalie facing this late-game lineup.

Up a goal: Forwards: Michael Peca, Mike Keane, Radek Dvorak. Peca is a great faceoff guy, Keane is one of the best defensive players in the game and Dvorak is smart defensively and can keep the pressing team on their heels with his speed. Defense: Chris Pronger and Scott Stevens. Pronger is impossible to get around or out-muscle. Stevens is one of the nastiest defensemen in the game. He can make trying to stand in the slot a miserable experience.

Derek Lashine
Maywood, N.J.

Down a goal: I would put Eric Weinrich and Chicago's Alex Zhamnov on the points. Weinrich is a great offensive defenseman with a great shot and hands. Zhamnov plays back on the power play for Chicago, and I've never seen anyone pass the puck with as much finesse, save Gretzky and Lemieux. I would put Joe Sakic for the draw and his snap shot. I'd put Theo Fleury on the off wing because he makes great decisions with the puck and can put it in the net. Then I'd take Eric Lindros for his strength, shot, and presence in front of the net. I'd have Mats Sundin as the sixth man, he's a veteran goal scorer and I would trust him most to make the play when the puck's on his stick.

Up a goal: I'd have Rob Blake and Chris Chelios back on defense because they are tough veterans. At forward, I'd put the three best penalty killers in the league: Steve Yzerman, Mike Modano and Tony Amonte. All three are captains and the type of guys who will kill themselves for the W.

James Riley
Chicago

Down a goal: D, Nicklas Lidstrom; D, Phil Housley; LW, Alexei Kovalev; C, Steve Yzerman; RW, Teemu Selanne; 6th, Pavel Bure. With the defensemen there to move the puck up ice, as well as keep it out of their own zone, it allows the three snipers -- Bure, Selanne and Kovalev -- to position themselves to score the equalizer. Throw Yzerman into the mix and you basically have three defensemen if the situation calls for it, as well as having the odds in your favor to win a crucial draw.

Up a goal: D, Niklas Lidstrom; D, Adam Foote; LW, Owen Nolan; C, Kris Draper; RW, Michael Peca. Again, with Lidstrom, you have a defenseman that will move the puck and not get beat. Team him with Foote, who will bring the big hits and keep opponents out of the zone, and you have an impassable pair. Nolan may seem to be a liability, but he's a forward that can hit hard and score goals. Draper and Peca (who would need to play out of position) are among the best penalty killers and forecheckers in the game. Their speed would enable them to get to loose pucks, carry it down the ice, and possibly even create plays.

Craig Podolski
Ann Arbor, Mich.

Down a goal: I'd have to go with Joe Sakic at center, solely because he's got the quickest release for a wrist shot I have ever seen. If you only have a couple seconds to score that's all he needs to work with. On his wings, I'd have Brett Hull and Chris Drury, both can score goals from all angles. Manning the blue line, I think I'd like to see Brian Leetch and Al MacInnis. Leetch can carry the puck through the neutral zone and over the blue line better than most. I don't think I really need to justify MacInnis.

Up a goal: At center, I'd go with Modano, after seeing the amount of heart this guy played with in the finals versus the Devils in back-to-back overtimes when facing elimination. You gotta respect the guy. Playing wing, I'd have Mike York, whose dedication to finishing every check and going after every loose puck has inspired a Ranger organization that has not had that kind of passion for a while. On the right side, I'd suit Mike Peca up, the sabres are really going to miss Peca's great two way playing in the playoffs. This line would be called the "Mikey Line." Now as for my defensemen, I'd call upon Chris Chelios and Adam Foote to help me sleep better at night.

Dan Cohen
Burlington, Vt.

Down a goal: Defensemen: Brian Leetch and Sergei Zubov. These guys have the best offensive instincts of all the defensemen in hockey (apologies to Nicklas Lidstrom and Al MacInnis). Zubov's got a cannon from the point and, combined with Leetch's skating and puckhandling ability, they'd be a perfect tandom to get the puck to the net for a scoring chance. At left wing, I'd have Keith Tkachuk. He's big and can't be moved from in front of the net, and he knows how to score goals, and can take faceoffs if need be. At right wing, the nod goes to Pavel Bure. There isn't a better pure scorer in the league. Centering these superstars is Adam Oates. The guy can flat out pass the puck, and even at his age is one of the top passers in the league. For an extra attacker I'd have Joe Sakic and his laser of a wrist shot to come in and provide extra offense.

Up a goal: I have to have Chris Pronger and Chris Chelios back on the blue line. Pronger is big, nasty, and is always a leader in plus-minus every year. Chelios is one of the best defensemen of all time, and hasn't shown any signs of slowing down at 39. He's the ultimate warrior on defense. At left wing, I'd have Sergei Fedorov. Being up a goal with this guy on the ice can easily turn into a two-goal lead without risking a scoring chance. At right wing, I'll take Theo Fleury. Sure, he's small and known more for his offense, but he's feisty and a tireless worker on the defensive end, and he was a league-leader in shorthanded points last year in his abbreviated season. Centering this duo would be Mats Sundin, arguably one of the most underrated centermen out there. He wins two-thirds of his faceoffs, and is bigger and stronger than people think he is.

John DeFelice
Reno, Nevada

It would be Brendan Shanahan, Pavel Bure, Jaromir Jagr, Mario Lemieux, Nicklas Lidstrom and the only shoe-in would be Sergei Gonchar. I can't believe none of you boneheads picked the NHL's leading goal scorer among defensemen over the last four seasons. No defenseman has as good of a knack of when and where to jump into the play. He is the best scoring defenseman and he should be on the man advantage.

On the man down, I would have Steve Yzerman, Michael Peca, Rob Blake, Chris Pronger and Adam Oates for the faceoff.

Wes Delancey
Boulder, Co.

Down a goal: At center, Eric Lindros: the only man in the NHL with the size and speed to wreak havoc on not one, but two defensemen. At right win, Pavel Bure: instant pressure with his speed, but he could pass now and then. At left wing, Paul Kariya: he's clutch and has the speed, passing, and eyes to get it done. On defense, Al MacInnis: his shot -- everyone gets out of the way and the rebounds it creates are always a plus. And Brain Leetch: the best power-play QB in the league. For the extra skater, Luc Robitaille: the kind of guy you want, a lot of garbage goals.

Up a goal: At center, Mike Modano: not only is he great defensively, but he is always a threat to score. At right wing, Mike Keane: second most underrated player in the NHL. At let wing, Mike York: the most underrated player in the NHL. On defense, Nicklas Lidstrom: great all around, no question marks in his game; and Chris Chelios: may be aging, but you can't teach that much experience.

Mike Axisa
Mount Pocono, Pa.

Down a goal:
C Mark Messier: great hands and a knack for the big goal.
W Jaromir Jagr: I mean come on, how many scoring titles has he won?
W Paul Kariya: best passer in the game, can also score with the best.
D Brian Leetch: knows how to set up an attack and can score as well.
D Al MacInnis: anyone who can blast the puck 100 miles per hour I want on my team.
6th Joe Sakic: loves the big moment.

Up a goal:
C Michael Peca: best two-way centerman in the game, enough said.
C Bobby Holik: second centerman for draws, also tough as nails.
W Jere Lehtinen: very responsible winger who doesn't mind playing defense.
D Chris Pronger: big tough defender offensive players do not want to see.
D Scott Stevens: will do anything to make sure his team wins.

Michael Casper
Somerset, N.J.

Down a goal:
D Nicklas Lidstrom: very good offensive instincts, knows when to jump in and is an extremely well passer, has the vision of a forward.
D Sergei Gonchar: probably has better offensive instincts the Lidstrom, but he also possesses a lethal shot from the point, he can get the puck to the net very well.
LW Paul Kariya: he has it all, instincts, speed, passing ability, hard and accurate shot and most importantly has the finishing touch around the net.
C Mats Sundin: I think he is very underrated, he has the size, speed, and skill that many NHLers would love to have. Great passer and has a very good backhand.
RW Jaromir Jagr: I don't even have to say why on this selection.
6th Keith Tkachuk: you need a big power forward who is willing to go the net with authority when it counts, he has a great touch around the net is tough to handle.

Down a goal:
D Chris Pronger: big hulking defenseman who plays his position very well, he can clear the front of the net and win those battles in the corner.
D Rob Blake: pretty much the same attributes, very smart player and takes no prisoners, that is important in the dying minutes of a game.
LW Shayne Corson: I think his defensive play is overlooked, he can play man to man very well (ask Alexei Yashin) and can win those battles along the boards and is willing to block shots.
C Craig Conroy: one of the better two-way players in the league who I think is very underrated. He's a very good positional player and cuts off passing lanes effectively.
RW/C Rod Brind'Amour: very good defensive player, can win the key faceoffs, has the grit to win the crucial battles along the board and will sacrifice his body to block shots.

Nick Coric
Hamilton, Ontario