Jacob Trouba is the true spark behind the New York Rangers

Jacob Trouba may be morphing into public enemy No. 1 across the NHL, but the role he plays for the New York Rangers cannot be overstated.

If there is one sight that has become common during the Rangers’ heroic postseason run, it is that of Trouba barreling through opponents like an absolute freight train. Just ask Sidney Crosby.

He has made a habit of crushing opposing players with such force that you can feel the after-effects back home on the couch.

He’s the literal definition of a human wrecking-ball.

And, after laying a devastating hit on the Carolina Hurricanes’ Seth Jarvis that literally changed the momentum of the contest in the Rangers’ crushing 6-2 win in Game Seven, Trouba has proved one thing…

He’s the true heartbeat of this team.

While others around him will garner more praise and attention, Trouba has become content with going about his job quietly and getting it done with minimal fanfare or fuss.

He isn’t interested in being the guy, instead focusing on doing what’s best for the team and executing the little plays in a game that make all the difference.

Not everyone can be a star or a franchise cornerstone, but Trouba has become an immovable object on this Rangers roster and he has become one of the key driving forces behind their success this year and indeed in the postseason.

Blockbuster, huge body-destroying hits aside, the veteran defenseman makes key plays in his own zone that may go unnoticed by the untrained eye sometimes, but are critical to his team’s success.

He makes smart plays with the puck, he is underrated when it comes to the transition game, he does a good job of battling in the corners and he’s a shot-blocking machine with 177 in the regular season and 30 through 14 postseason games.

The 28-year-old can also eat monster minutes having seen his average total ice time jump from 22:26 in the regular season to 25:01 in the playoffs.

Then there are the hits. After recording 207 during the regular season – ranked second on the Rangers behind Ryan Reaves (279) – Trouba has continued to hit hard and with intent in the playoffs with 54.  That’s the second most in the playoffs behind Evander Kane (61).

When Trouba had a bone-crushing hit on Max Domi in Game Four, the Hurricanes’ Steven Lorentz retaliated and took an instigator penalty.

His takeout of Jarvis had the same impact, resulting in a too many on the ice penalty, with Chris Kreider scoring on the resulting power play to put the Rangers in the driving seat.

Trouba’s ability to run through opponents at key moments in the game serves as a real spark, one that wears down the opponent while at the same time giving his teammates on the bench that real jolt of energy they need.

Trouba has been able to turn the tide for his team in this postseason time and time again by just using his big body, and he’s become a legit game-changer because of his ability to put his physical play to good use.

Any legit contender needs a glue guy, an unsung hero, someone who will put their body on the line time and time again for the good of the team, and Trouba checks all of those boxes for the Rangers.

With the juggernaut that is the Tampa Bay Lightning in town tonight for Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals, Trouba will need to buy into his new role as the villain of the league because that role doubles as a vital spark plug for the Rangers, who will need their hitting machine to continue blowing opponents up if they are to have a chance against the reigning two-time Stanley Cup champions.