Ranking the Top Stars in the 2015 NHL Playoffs Who is On the List

VIDEO: And it MAY NOT be who you Think it is… Ranking the Top Stars in the 2015 NHL Playoffs 

Hockey is, first and foremost, a team game. The playoffs tend to reinforce this reality, especially in the grueling series that go seven games and in the individual contests that stretch out over multiple overtimes. Every player matters, every line or pairing can make the crucial contribution or critical mistake, and when all is said and done, every player who gets his name emblazoned on the Stanley Cup deserves to be there.

But one exceptionally skilled individual can have a disproportionate impact. We imagine a skilled goal scorer, a physical, shutdown defenseman and of course, a goaltender, who can take over not just games but entire series.

Who are the top stars of this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs? Read on for my list of 20 based on production in the regular season, career accolades, overall skill and star power. Your rankings are certain to vary, so tell me whom I missed and make sure you also mention which player you would take off the list to make room for your candidate

20. Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis Blues

2014-15 numbers: 77 games, 37 goals, 73 points

Career hardware collection: Empty (so far)

In brief: Some would quibble with the selection of Tarasenko, given that 2014-15 was a breakout year and that arguably the St. Louis Blues have several players better than the 23 year old. However, this is a list built on star power, and while the Blues have better players, they don’t have anyone else nearly as exciting. Tarasenko scored 37 goals this year playing hockey in Ken Hitchcock’s strangling defensive system, and frankly, he’s a ridiculous talent. Only two players in the NHL (Rick Nash and Steven Stamkos) scored more goals at even strength than Tarasenko did this year.

SEE THE REST OF THE TOP 20 ON THE NEXT PAGE