It's easy to understand why most people are just starting to hear about Nasvhille Predators defenseman Mattias Ekholm.
For starters, he plays on the same squad as perennial Norris Trophy threats Roman Josi, P.K. Subban, and Ryan Ellis.
And sure, he's been an above-average defenseman for the better part of four seasons now, but realistically, outside of committed hockey heads, Ekholm still doesn't get the love he deserves.
He also plays in Nashville.
Which, despite its recent success on the ice, is not known for being a big hockey market. So Ekholm's talents don't get him the attention that they might if he played elsewhere.
After Friday's Game 1 showing where he was an absolute beast at both ends of the rink against the Anaheim Ducks, it's safe to expect that we'll be hearing a lot more of his name in the coming days.
Related: Breaking down Ekholm's excellent effort before Neal's OT winner
However, one thing remains clear: Ekholm is putting the league on notice this postseason.
Not only is the Swedish national averaging an impressive amount of minutes per game at 25:16 - good enough for sixth in the league among D-men still competing in the playoffs - but he's starting to chip in offensively, as well.
Ekholm has yet to find the back of the net during Nashville's recent playoff run, but his vision and outlet passing are quickly becoming his trademarks.
Ekholm's contributed three assists in his last three games, and the rearguard's arguably been Nashville's strongest blue-liner.
Take that in for a second - Ekholm was the Predators' best D-man ahead of both Josi and Subban.
He's a glue guy who goes about his business in the same manner in which his team operates: Under the radar.
At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, the 26-year-old has the frame to go along with the skills to be a contributing factor on the Nashville blue line for years to come.
With 2 assists in the @PredsNHL's 3-2 win, @MatEkh14 skated 31:05 and leads the team with 31.6 shifts per game. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/jW6xejpJ10
— NHLPA (@NHLPA) May 13, 2017
Ekholm put himself on the NHL's map with an excellent two-way performance in Game 1 versus the Ducks - a game in which he fired four shots on net and also blocked two shots.
Whether he plays with Subban, Josi, or Ellis, Ekholm always brings his stabilizing stay-at-home approach to every contest.
The guy can do it all.
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