This week’s Frozen Pool Forensics takes a close look at Marian Gaborik of the Los Angeles Kings

Several years removed from elite sniper status in the National Hockey League, Marian Gaborik is knee deep in a complete renaissance during this year's postseason festivities. There had been a general school of thought amongst media, pundits and fans alike, that the 32-year-old Slovakian was past his prime, moving away from elite status goal scoring in this league. However, it's certainly now safe to say that his March 5 Deadline Day deal to La-La Land has been the perfect catalyst to re-ignite his career.

The past few years have been far from rosy for the three-time 40-goal stud. Doesn't take more than two seconds to see that in glancing at his recent regular season production.

Just take a look at his goal scoring totals over his merry-go-round of teams heading out of the 2012 lockout…

Hard to believe this is the same guy who scored 123 goals in 207 games with Minny heading out of the 04-05 lockout, or two 40-goal campaigns in his first three in the Big Apple.

Check out his goal-scoring trends over the past two seasons…. Then glance down at this season's playoff run (below) and prepare for elevated eyebrows.

Now feast your eyes' on this year's playoff run for Gaborik

His massive $7.5 Million/per annum salary has been a ridiculous overpayment since his last 41-goal campaign in 2011-12, the year before the lockout

That being said, the Kings are getting massive value for their late-season acquisition of Marian, for which they only had to actually incur the last $1 million and change of his now-expiring $37.5 million, five-year contract.

For starters, Gaborik is running away with the NHL playoff goal-scoring race, with 13 thus far; leading teammate Jeff Carter by a troika for next closest!  He's also held his own in the set-up department, with a modest eight helpers along the way to place him five points behind leader Anze Kopitar, for the overall playoff scoring race.

Fun Fact #1: Gaborik now has more goals in this spring's playoff run than he did all season (11 total) for both Columbus and Los Angeles (41 games combined)

Fun Fact #2: Gaborik now has more goals in this spring's playoff run than he did all last season (12 total) for both New York and Columbus (47 games combined)

Suffice it to say, that the 2014 playoffs have been an unreal and ceremonious return to elite sniper status for the Slovak!

Moreover, its not just the quantity of points Gabby has managed to put on the boards, but also the quality and the timeliness of them. We've seen him score with finesse all through the playoff campaign at certain times. Most notably against San Jose when he stepped in dazzled, and went roof daddy. We've also seen him score in the clutch as recently as this Final.

He's done enough to earn a new deal in Los Angeles. Given his age (32), Dean Lombardi should work something out with him, even if no longer at a $7.5 million clip. 

Enjoy the game tonight. We might just see him lift his first Cup!

 (Give Anthony Lancione a follow on Twitter @Anthisdaman)