The stars are supposed to come out and shine brightest when it matters the most. Part of what makes them great is their innate ability to excel when it matters the most. The 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs have had plenty of star power to date so far.

Evgeni Malkin has scored in every Penguins playoff game so far and is tied for the scoring lead with Boston’s David Krejci with 13 points. Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane, Henrik Zetterberg, Henrik Lundqvist, Jonathan Quick, and Jarome Iginla are perennial all-stars that are putting a definitive stamp on their team’s playoff success. Hockey is very much a team game, but the great players lead the way, often times by example.

There have also been some conspicuous absences so far in the postseason. It isn’t quite time to call the authorities or reserve space on the side of a milk carton just yet. Here are five guys who had better show up soon or the next time there’s a sighting it will be at the local municipal golf course. Of course that’s not true, these guys are millionaires, they all play on private courses.

5. Johan Franzen, RW, Detroit Red Wings (7 games, 3 goals, 0 assists, -7)

The most frustrating part about Franzen is that he is one of the most physically gifted players in the game. He will only show flashes at a time as if he is saving himself for something later. The infuriating part about Franzen is that he is big enough to dominate almost every defenseman in hockey, fast enough to skate past them and skilled enough to deke around them. He just chooses if, and when to do it. He is truly a cautionary tale for NHL general managers to avoid ridiculous long-term contracts.

4. Brad Richards, C, New York Rangers  (7 games, 1 goal, 0 assists, -1)

The New York Rangersnumber one center has been a no show through the first seven game series against the Washington Capitals. The Capitals are hardly a defensive juggernaut, but Richards has been a bit out of sync all season. Coach John Tortorella has even demoted Richards to the fourth line in an attempt to inspire the slumping star. So far, not so good for Richards. The Rangers will need him to contribute if they have designs on the next round of the playoffs.

3. Jonathan Toews, C, Chicago Blackhawks (6 games, 0 goals, 2 assists, even)

As one of the more complete players in the game, it’s hard to knock Jonathan Toews for anything. That said, Toews is typically front and center whenever there is a Blackhawks scoring frenzy. That hasn’t been the case for the Chicago captain so far. He is charged with keeping tabs on the top offensive unit for Detroit in the second round, so the focus will certainly be on playing a solid two-way game. Expect Toews’ first goal to be a big one though, he won’t be carrying that goose egg for much longer.

2. Tyler Seguin, C/RW, Boston Bruins (7 games, 0 goals, 1 assist, -1)

Poor Tyler Seguin can’t catch a break. He was inches from being the guy that won the first round series with Toronto, but Patrice Bergeron tucked in the rebound and silenced his own critics. Seguin has been a colossal disappointment for the Bruins in this postseason, but the dramatic win over Toronto has appeased the Boston critics. If the struggle continues and Boston falters against New York, expect the microscope to be on the young sniper.

1. Rick Nash, RW, New York Rangers (7 games, 0 goals, 2 assists, +2)

Rick Nash has to top this list simply by virtue of getting out of Columbus into a situation in which he should be excelling. Well Rick, you finally got to Broadway. You made it to the Big Apple, it’s time to see what you’ve got. If the rest of the Rangers are counting on Henrik Lundqvist to score for them too, it could be a short series with Boston. Nash and company need to get more than one goal a night in order to win playoff games.