In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, we usually see several youngsters step up and help lead their teams to glory. Here are five to keep an eye on this spring.
D Danny DeKeyser - Detroit Red Wings
Head Coach Mike Babcock said that if it wasn't for his team adding DeKeyser in the final weeks of the 2013 season, Detroit's playoff streak would have ended last spring.
DeKeyser, being a defenseman, may not light up the scoreboard, but his hockey smarts are incredible for a player his age. He seems to make whoever he is paired to on defense better overall, and rarely makes mistakes despite being an inexperienced rookie.
If his Red Wings can make the playoffs again, DeKeyser is the kind of player that can do all the little things to help them win a series.
LW Chris Kreider - New York Rangers
Kreider's name was heard an awful lot during the 2012 playoffs, but this is technically considered his rookie season. He has been a huge asset to an up-and-down Rangers team this year and has been key in keeping them in the playoff race.
If the Rangers want to get far in the playoffs, they need their star young forward to come through for them like he has all season.
G Darcy Kuemper - Minnesota Wild
Kuemper has done well in net for Minnesota after the Wild had to deal with injuries to Josh Harding and Niklas Backstrom. Ilya Bryzgalov was brought in at the deadline, but it is unclear who will be the team's go-to guy in the postseason.
If Kuemper gets the job, he will be going up against a tough offense in the first round, as the Wild will almost certainly be a Wild Card team. If he plays well, he could help his team steal a series.
Kuemper has a 2.43 goals against average and a .915 save percentage.
C Nathan MacKinnon - Colorado Avalanche
Given the way he has played lately, it is tough to remember that MacKinnon is indeed only a rookie. He has been one of the many reasons that the Avalanche have had such an incredible season, and he leads all rookies in goals (23), assists (33) and points (56).
His Avs will likely take on the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round of the playoffs, which should create an enticing matchup as two offensively-stacked teams will face off. MacKinnon has even been compared to Chicago's Patrick Kane.
LW Ondrej Palat - Tampa Bay Lightning
MacKinnon has had a terrific year for a rookie, but Palat only has five less points than his fellow youngster.
The Czech has been a huge reason for Tampa's resurgence this season, and having him on the team as well as fellow rookie Tyler Johnson lessens the sting of the Lightning losing captain Martin St. Louis.
Palat is an offensive machine. Playing with Steven Stamkos in the playoffs, he could cause headaches for any team.