Pascal Dupuis , Pittsburgh Penguins

Dupuis is a steady veteran hand on a young Penguins team. You could make a case that anyone but Malkin and Crosby could be an X-factor, but Dupuis is the hot stick for Pittsburgh. He takes a 17-game point streak into the playoffs.

Alex Burrows, Vancouver Canucks

With Daniel Sedin's status up in the air, Vancouver will be counting on Burrows to pick up the scoring slack. He netted 28 goals this season - four in the final five games of the schedule.

Ryan Callahan, New York Rangers

Callahan wears the captain's "C" for a reason in the Big Apple. His toughness and consistency may be overshadowed by teammates Lundqvist and Gaborik, but he comes through in the crunch. Just look at his 13 power-play goals.

David Krejci, Boston Bruins

Krejci was the spark for Boston's Cup run last year, leading all playoff scorers with 23 points. He finished with 62 points for the second straight year, so it looks like another strong postseason is on the way.

Andy McDonald, St. Louis Blues

Big things come in small packages. The Blues' postseason hopes could live and die through the 5-foot-11 spark plug. McDonald played his best hockey down the stretch and could break out in the playoffs.

Scott Hartnell, Philadelphia Flyers

Players like Hartnell were built for playoff hockey. He's an agitator with a skilled stick, scoring 37 goals and finishing with a plus-19 rating. He'll be deep under the skin of the Penguins in the first round.

Alexander Radulov, Nashville Predators

Radulov joined the Preds late in the season, finishing with three goals and four assists in nine games. The Russian superstar could be handful for the Red Wings in the opening round.

Dave Bolland, Chicago Blackhawks

Bolland becomes even more important with Jonathan Toews in concussion limbo. He's overcoming a late-season injury of his own, but will be depended on heavily at the center position.

Jeff Carter, Los Angeles Kings

Carter scored six goals in 16 games after being traded to the Kings. He's been slowed by an ankle injury and must spark a Los Angeles offense that has lacked a finisher all season.

David Clarkson, New Jersey Devils

Clarkson can stir the pot for the Devils. He scored 30 goals and also led the team in penalty minutes. Momentum shifters like the feisty winger are so important come the postseason.

Ryane Clowe, San Jose Sharks

San Jose is a long ways from Newfoundland, but Clowe is still "Rock" solid. The Sharks have a chance to avenge all those postseason collapses, now taking on the underdog role. Clowe's grit and physicality will be a big part of that.

Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals

Alex Ovechkin can score all the goals he wants. If Holtby can't keep the puck out of the net, the Capitals are doomed. The third-string goalie made only seven starts this season, but looked sharp vs. the Rangers to end the year.

Home-ice advantage, Florida Panthers

Did you know the Panthers have a dance team? I guess selling hockey in Florida is a tough racket. The Panthers won a terrible Southeast Division and will lean on the home crowd to boost them through the playoffs.

Johan Franzen, Detroit Red Wings

Franzen is just one of the Red Wings' seasoned veterans, but doesn't carry the fanfare that Datsyuk or Lidstrom do. But you don't earn a nickname like "The Mule (because he carries the load) for nothing.

Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators

Karlsson is probably the most improved player in the NHL, going from minus-30 to plus-16 in a year. The young blueliner led all defensemen with 59 assists, which actually tied for third most in the league.

Mike Smith, Phoenix Coyotes

A hot goalie can take a team deep into the playoffs, and no goaltender is hotter than Smith. He closed out the season with three straight shutouts and two one-goal efforts.