With the NHL's conference finals in full swing, the race for the Conn Smythe Trophy, given to the most valuable player of the playoffs, is starting to take shape.
This year, we have seen stars rise to the occasion and some lesser-known players unexpectedly step into the spotlight.
Let's have a look at the current Conn Smythe leaders on each team and the numbers that make them stand out, along with a sleeper for the award from each club:
Pittsburgh Penguins
Evgeni Malkin
Key stat: 20 points in 14 games (Leads all players)
Another year, another tremendous postseason for Malkin. During his 11-year career, the Russian center has 149 points in 138 playoff games. With Kris Letang out and Sidney Crosby dinged up at times, Malkin has put the Penguins on his back, already clearing his scoring output (18 points in 23 games) from last year's Stanley Cup run.
Marc-Andre Fleury
Key stat: Eight quality starts in 14 games
After an injury to Matt Murray forced Fleury back between the pipes, it was fair to wonder whether the high-scoring Penguins would be undone by their goaltending like they were many times in the past. But instead of melting down, Fleury has kept the Penguins alive, especially against the Washington Capitals, who arguably outplayed Pittsburgh for the majority of their semifinal matchup.
Sidney Crosby
Key stat: 10 assists (Tied for second)
As always, playoff season means there is a giant target on Crosby's back. The Pens' superstar center missed one game because of a concussion, but has still managed to be among the top playoff producers.
Sleeper: Jake Guentzel
Key stat: Nine goals (Tied for lead)
It's nice to play alongside Crosby. The 22-year-old winger started the season in the AHL, then took off when he got the call with 33 points in 40 regular-season games. He offers something that a playmaker like Crosby can always use: A great shot.
Ottawa Senators
Erik Karlsson
Key stat: On ice for 298 shot attempts for his team (Leads all players)
The Senators' No. 1 defenseman has made a great case for being the best player in the playoffs. Not only has he produced at a point-per-game pace, Karlsson has proven that he is more than just an "offensive defenseman." Ottawa is allowing 10.5 percent fewer shot attempts per 60 minutes with the Swedish defender on the ice than when he's off.
Craig Anderson
Key stat: .934 power-play save percentage (Leads remaining goalies)
Anderson is finally getting some of the credit he has long deserved. During the past five seasons, Anderson has a .920 save percentage, which is higher than that of Henrik Lundqvist and equal to Braden Holtby. He has been exceptional during the playoffs, shutting down opponents despite a high number of scoring chances and power plays against.
Bobby Ryan
Key stat: Three game-winning goals (Leads all players)
Most have ruled the Senators' trade for Ryan a loss, and his contract a bust, but the former No. 2 overall pick has gotten busy changing the narrative this postseason, with 11 points in 14 games. His spectacular overtime winner against Pittsburgh in Game 1 reminded everyone that he is still a dangerous offensive player.
Sleeper: Jean-Gabriel Pageau
Key stat: Eight even-strength goals (Leads all players)
Pageau has a chance to match his 82-game regular season total of 12 goals in the postseason. While the Sens never expected this type of breakout from their undersized speedster, Pageau has been a quality producer at even strength during the past two seasons. In fact, he scored more points per 60 minutes at even strength than Derick Brassard this season.
Anaheim Ducks
Ryan Getzlaf
Key stat: 1.46 points per game (Leads all players)
After leading the Ducks to their fourth straight division title, Getzlaf appears determined to will Anaheim back to the Stanley Cup finals for the first time since he was 21 years old. During the regular season, the future Hall of Famer was mostly a playmaker, scoring 15 goals but adding 58 assists. In the playoffs, he's been a nightmare for opponents, scoring eight goals and adding 10 assists.
Jakob Silfverberg
Key stat: 53 shots on goal (Leads all players)
Call it a coming-out party for Silfverberg, but Ducks observers might tell you that he's been one of Anaheim's best players for the past three seasons. The Swedish winger isn't just a solid top-six scorer, he's a terrific two-way player who creates extra possessions and chances for his team by winning battles and pick-pocketing opponents.
Rickard Rakell
Key stat: On ice for 57 high-danger shot attempts for his team (Leads all forwards)
Rakell and Getzlaf might have a big gap in age, but their chemistry has been terrific all season and into the playoffs. The veteran captain has created chances for the young goal scorer, and the up-and-comer hasn't missed. Rakell's rise has helped give the Ducks their deepest scoring group in a long time.
Sleeper: Hampus Lindholm
Key stat: 76.2 percent goals for percentage (Second among remaining players)
With plenty of talent but not so much fanfare, Lindholm has quietly picked opponents apart, especially when breaking out of the defensive zone. He can carry the puck through traffic or make tape-to-tape passes in transition, giving the Ducks' forwards chances to score.
Nashville Predators
P.K. Subban
Key stat: 54.2 percent Corsi for percentage (Third among remaining players)
Subban has always been a tough matchup with his size, speed and skill combination, but it appears the Predators have found ways to maximize his talent in ways Montreal never could. While his production has been solid, with eight points in 12 games, Subban's ability to jump into the play and control the pace has titled the ice in Nashville's direction throughout their playoff run.
Credit is also deserved for the rest of Nashville's top-four defenders, Mattias Ekholm, Ryan Ellis and Roman Josi. Ekholm is a solid defender and the Ellis-Josi duo has produced more goals than any other defensive pairing in the playoffs.
Filip Forsberg
Key stat: 20:47 average time on ice (Third among remaining players)
In his first three seasons, Forsberg established himself as a top-notch offensive producer. But in the playoffs, he has proven there's more to the story than goals and assists. Forsberg has become a player who can be used in any situation, and his ice time reflects the team's trust in him.
Pekka Rinne
Key stat: .942 save percentage (Leads all goalies)
The Finnish netminder struggled in Game 2 against the Ducks, but he has been every bit as deserving of Conn Smythe chatter as any goalie in the postseason. After several years of struggling in the playoffs, Rinne has stepped up to backstop possibly the strongest team in franchise history.
Sleeper: Ryan Johansen
Key stat: On ice for eight high-danger goals (Leads all forwards)
As the centerpiece of Columbus's franchise, Johansen never seemed to fit in. But following a trade, and being placed on a high-skill line with Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson in Nashville this season, he's found a comfort zone as the line's pure setup man. His magnificent passing ability has fit perfectly with the talents of his highly skilled teammates.