Phil Kessel is a bit of a hot dog when the playoffs come around.

The 29-year-old, in his second season with the Pittsburgh Penguins after being dealt from the Toronto Maple Leafs, played a critical role in the Penguins' Stanley Cup victory last season and is quickly gaining a reputation as an elite playoff performer, which hasn't gone unnoticed by head coach Mike Sullivan.

"I just think he shows an ability to elevate his game," Sullivan said, according to NHL.com's Tom Gulitti. "I think that's what's necessary at this time of year. It's a hard game out there in the playoffs and you have to fight for every inch and the teams that are still playing are very good teams at both ends of the rink. Phil has shown an ability to elevate his games at key times and he's been a difference maker for us in my tenure here."

Last season, Kessel paced the Penguins in the playoffs with 10 goals, 22 points, and 98 shots on goal. This year, he's kept his foot on the gas, putting up another 11 points through seven games - good enough to tie captain Sidney Crosby for second place on the team, two points behind Evgeni Malkin.

That's some good company. In fact, among active players with at least 20 playoff games, Crosby, Malkin, and Kessel sit one, two, and three in playoff points per game, respectively. But as for Kessel, he's done more than just put up points, according to Sullivan.

"His playoff performance speaks for itself," Sullivan said. "I think the numbers are obvious, but his overall game has been really strong and he's another one of those players that we have on our roster that brings his best game when the games are most important."

Kessel's a nice guy, who tries hard, and loves the game - especially come playoff time.

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