Patrick King

Tyler Seguin is struggling at the OHL playoffs.

On the grandest stage of his short career, potential No.1 draft pick Tyler Seguin is stumbling.

WINDSOR, Ont. -- Tyler Seguin picked the wrong time for a slump.

With a plethora of National Hockey League scouts in attendance for the highly touted Windsor-Plymouth OHL playoff series, the Whalers star failed to put his best foot forward and it may cost him on draft day.

It's safe to say if NHL teams were determining the top pick solely from his performance in this head-to-head clash, Taylor Hall would be the consensus No. 1 prospect.

Of course, teams won't be basing their decisions on this series alone, but Seguin's lacklustre play in the biggest playoff series (so far) of his junior career is concerning. Seguin has no points - the first time all season he has been held without a point in three consecutive games - and his team now faces elimination in Game 4 on Wednesday.

A frustrated Seguin admitted the hype of the showdown between the projected top two picks wore on him.

"I have to stop going on the internet," he said following Monday's 5-0 loss. "I thought I played good (in Game 2 on Saturday), you know - (but) no results. But in the end, all the media is just like, 'Hall wins, Seguin loses.'"

Hall picked up two assists in Monday's win and now has three goals and three helpers in the series. The Windsor Spitfires forward simply looks much more at ease than his counterpart and has been one of his team's best players in the playoffs.

Unlike his rival, who is one year his junior, Hall chooses not to satisfy his curiosity by delving into the heated debate online.

"I don't really have enough time to go on the computer and search 'Taylor vs. Tyler,'" he said. "You can't get too wrapped up in all that stuff."

What Seguin has been wrapped up in, however, is blanket coverage administered by the Spitfires' checking line of Scott Timmins, Kenny Ryan and Justin Shugg. Seguin hasn't had much room to maneuvre in the series against the defending league and Memorial Cup champions which has left him searching for answers.

"I'm trying to adjust, but every time I just touch it, I have a guy on me," Seguin said.

Although Timmins can't say what Seguin had for dinner, he doesn't exactly need to look at the scoreboard to realize he's frustrating the young star.

"When he's coming off the bench and on the bench, you can see (it on) his face," Timmins said. "He's always looking down and kind of just got that angry look on his face that he's just kind of defeated out there. If we just keep going like we are, hopefully he just keeps getting more pressured.

"You obviously can't feel sorry for him."

"If I was him, I would be really frustrated right now," Hall said.

Seguin looked his best in Game 2 of the series, the only one played on his home ice to date. His line matched up against Hall's line for most of that game as the Whalers had the last change, and although he didn't pick up a point, he had far more scoring chances.

His performance in the series is surprising considering the draft implications and personal and team rivalries. Seguin's rhythm is notably different as the series continues. Rather than trying to beat defenders at the offensive blue line, he's now choosing the more conservative dump and chase style.

"I had jump (on Monday), but I mean, nothing's working out," Seguin said. "I can't get any bounces and I'm trying to adjust right now and it's not working and I got to rethink my game-plan again."

Seguin might have just one more opportunity to stage a comeback on the ice and in the rankings. The Spitfires lead the series three games to none and look like the dominant team that stormed through the Ontario Hockey League playoffs a year ago.

Hall will be in the running for the most valuable player in the playoffs if his play continues. He is still shifty and creative with the puck, in spite of finding ways to critique his own game.

"I'm just concentrating on playing a really good team game I'm sure I had some flaws (on Monday) and made a couple bad plays," he said. "I want to win another Memorial Cup because I know that feeling and there's nothing better than that."

That winning feeling drives Hall no matter which player he's lining up against.

"I wasn't too concerned on this whole Tyler-Taylor thing," he said. "I really wanted to win this series and go farther in the playoffs."

The draft rankings won't be determined from this head-to-head matchup, but if nothing else, a win over his draft rival helps inch Hall closer to that first-overall spot.