Phil Kessel struggled to find words following a Game 7 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

In less than a year, one of the game's top goal-scorers has traveled from under the microscope in Toronto to near the top of the hockey world, helping the Pittsburgh Penguins come within four victories of a Stanley Cup championship.

And while his exclusion from Team USA's World Cup roster has raised questions about his character and conditioning, Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan explains how important Kessel has become to the team both on and off the ice.

"I'm thrilled for Phil," Sullivan said Saturday, according to Wes Crosby of NHL.com. "I think he's a big reason why we're playing today. His contribution to this team, over the last four months or so, has been tremendous. I think he's really enjoying the team. I think he's enjoying this whole process.

"I think, what we're all seeing, is how competitive he is and how badly he wants to win. To see him express that to his teammates is exciting. I think his teammates are enjoying it as well. Phil's a reserved guy. To see him let loose a little bit and show his emotions, I think it's great for his teammates and I think it's great for him."

Through 18 playoff games, it's Kessel and not Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin who leads the Penguins in scoring, with nine goals and nine assists. For his career, he's averaging almost a point per game in the postseason, having scored 22 goals and 17 assists in 40 appearances.

Should the Penguins defeat the San Jose Sharks in the Final, Kessel will in the running for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, and it would be a well-deserved honor for a guy's who's fallen into the open arms of the Penguins after being pushed out the door by his previous club.

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