WILMINGTON -- Tyler Seguin's terrific play has rarely been a storyline this season, and the explanation as to why is pretty simple: The rookie's play hasn't been terrific. 

The second overall pick was expected to experience some growing pains when it came to adjusting to the NHL, and it could be seen early on that the youngster was struggling adapting to a more physical game. 

Now, with 11 games remaining in the season, it is time to give credit where credit is due. A healthy scratch six times this season, Seguin is making a concerted effort to prove to coach Claude Julien that he "gets it" enough to belong in the lineup when the playoffs begin. While the results haven't jumped off the page on the score-sheet, the progress can be seen in Seguin's entire game. He seems more willing when it comes to contact he has shied away from throughout the season, and the predisposition to get rid of the puck immediately after gaining possession seems to have subsided. 

"I'm trying to pick up my game in all the areas, and I feel really good out there as of late," Seguin said. "I'm trying to get more shots. Trying to help set up [linemates Chris Kelly and Rich Peverley]. I also think I've got to finish checks a bit more, and be a little more physical as well."

Seguin is used to listing things he needs to improve on. Though he wasn't thrilled with the healthy scratches, he has generally been willing to critique his own game. Now that he's playing a more confident game and admits that he has felt "great" of late, the list may be getting shorter. Though he has just one point over his last nine games, little confidence-boosters such as his game-winning shootout goal against the Blue Jackets, a snipe on Pekka Rinne (who is a hundredth of a goal behind Tim Thomas for the league lead in goals against average) and five shots on goal Saturday should have the rookie feeling confident that things are looking up. 

Julien has even shown more confidence in the youngster, giving him power play time recently. As for Seguin's chances of being a healthy scratch again with the return of Brad Marchand from suspension, it's worth noting that it has been the second line that has featured an extra skater, meaning Marchand or Michael Ryder could be the healthy scratch Tuesday night. Seguin's line with Kelly and Peverley seems to be intact. 

“I think what we’ve been working with him on is starting to pay off. He’s competing a little better. When you compete a little better in certain areas, your skill level kind of takes over,” Julien said of Seguin. “With him, going back to the skill level that we know he has there, and how does he expose that, I think he exposes it by competing hard in certain areas and making sure he’s got the puck on his stick. He’s got to play with the puck and I think he’s got a lot better in regards to that.”

Earlier in the season, Ryder and Seguin had developed some good chemistry on the third line. The two connected on some impressive (at times daring) passes, but with Seguin floating between the third line, fourth line and press box in the middle of the season, he's had to look for a new guy to connect with. It seems that Peverley may be that player, as his speed complements that of Seguin. 

"They're both very fast and they've got a lot of skill," Seguin said of his linemates. "It makes it easy to play with them. We're trying to find that chemistry, and it's coming with more games and more practices."

Given that all three members of the line can play center, it can be hard in games and practices to tell who's playing where. Kelly and Peverley are both above-average on draws, so any one of the three could take the face-off before skating their lane. 

"I think I'm right wing, but in games, it changes," he said, noting that he still considers Kelly the de facto center. "Sometimes I'm at left, sometimes I'm at center, sometimes I'm taking draws."

Seguin must now place an emphasis on keeping up his more involved play. With the regular season winding down and the picture still unclear who the healthy scratch might be come the postseason (the guess here is Daniel Paille), a late push might be required to ensure he gets the opportunity to chase a Cup as a rookie. 

“I think for a team to be successful -- I obviously don't have much experience in this league -- but for a team to be successful in an 82-game season and the playoffs, everybody's got to be going and everybody's got to be healthy,” Seguin said. “Every one of us has to be ready for whether we're in or not.”