Who doesn't love an X-factor? When it comes to springtime puck and teams chasing for the biggest prize in hockey, there's usually an unsung hero or two that emerges as the player(s) poised to put their team on their back while elevating their game to the next level. A glance back over the past thirty-or-so years of NHL archives reveals a number of sensational postseason performances and a cast of X-factors that etched their names on the Stanley Cup and in the hockey history books.

Which current players are ready to put their names alongside the likes of such all-time playoff performers as Scott Stevens, Justin Williams, Jonathan Toews, and others? Even though we're already a couple games into each series, we're serving up our favourite X-factor for each Eastern Conference club.

New York Rangers: Vincent Trocheck

Vincent Trocheck is one of the most underrated fantasy hockey players in the NHL today, hands down. This guy really does it all for the Rangers and his ability to fill out the peripheral fantasy categories while also bringing legitimate 70-plus point potential makes him the prototypical X-factor that is undoubtedly going to have a major role in the Rangers' run. New York is an absolute wagon and has all the makings of a champion. Don't ever sleep on Trocheck.

Carolina Hurricanes: Seth Jarvis

Sure, a big three-point performance in Game 2 on Monday night against the New York Islanders is likely turning some heads in Jarvis' direction, but fantasy GMs have been paying attention to this kid and his ability to produce for two seasons now. Jarvis is only 22 years old and already has 146 points to his name – he can really bring it in at the offensive end and is forming some amazing chemistry with Jake Guentzel and Sebastian Aho on Carolina's top line. If he keeps scoring like he did in Game 2, he will be an X-factor for the Hurricanes.

New York Islanders: Kyle Palmieri

Someone on the Islanders is going to have to do something offensively if they want any shot at getting past the best defensive team in the NHL in the Hurricanes. There really isn't much hope for this Islanders club, but Palmieri has proven that even in the twilight of his career he can still put up points. The wily vet has 30 points in 65 career playoff games and is coming off a season in which he registered an impressive 30-piece of goals. If he can replicate any of that over the coming days he might just be the X-factor the Isles need to cling to any hope against the 'Canes.

Washington Capitals: Connor McMichael

There is really not a ton to love about this Washington Capitals team in terms of young players and a bright future, but Connor McMichael is definitely a name to monitor heading into next season. McMichael is getting an excellent chance to prove himself while centering the Caps' top line between T.J. Oshie and Alexander Ovechkin and if the Capitals want to take even a single game against the Rangers, they're going to need someone not named Ovi to step up and be an X-factor. Why not McMichael?

Boston Bruins: Morgan Geekie

Say what you will about the Toronto Maple Leafs, but they can score goals in bunches. Toronto's offensive depth and potency far outweighs what the Bruins bring to the table, meaning someone outside of Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, and Charlie McAvoy is going to need to get something going in the offensive zone if the Bruins want to roll through the Leafs like a lot of NHL pundits expect them to.

There is a lot to like about Geekie's game and he makes for the perfect X-factor-type player who has a major opportunity to establish himself at the NHL level and make an impact for a Bruins club that doesn't have a lot of weaknesses. However, if there is one, it's the Boston offense that saw the Bs score the 15th-most goals in the NHL this season while running out only the 14th-best power-play unit.

Florida Panthers: Carter Verhaeghe

Another player on this list that seemingly flies under-the-radar while not getting nearly enough love from hockey fans, Verhaeghe has very quietly strung together excellent regular and postseason performances over the past few years. Verhaeghe is one of the most underrated scorers in the NHL today and he really shouldn't be as back-to-back 70-plus point seasons and a solid playoff track record of 35 points in 46 games would suggest. When the stakes get heightened this Florida squad seems to relish it while rising to the occasion. Sure, that's a testament to Paul Maurice and his staff but it's also because players like Verhaeghe make this team a very hard one to match up against. He will be heard from these playoffs.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Max Domi

If you're a Leafs fan, there's something really comforting about seeing a Domi skating around in the blue and white during NHL postseason. That could just be some intangible nostalgia, but Max has been on a solid second-half heater while fitting in seamlessly on Auston Matthews' wing and he deserves a lot of credit for rounding out his game at both ends of the ice. Don't forget, Domi was excellent for the Dallas Stars last spring to the tune of 13 points in 19 games while being an effective piece for a Dallas team that was just two games away from the Cup Final. You can tell how bad Domi wants it and how much it means to him to be rocking a Leafs crest on his sweater. If Toronto manages to get by Boston, you can bank on Domi being a major reason why.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Anthony Cirelli

Throw some respect on Cirelli's name, as he definitely has all the makings of an X-factor. Centering Tampa Bay's effective second line between Brandon Hagel and perennial playoff stud Steven Stamkos, Cirelli is going to have all the opportunity in the world to chip in on the offensive end while doing what he does best: shutting down the opposition’s top players. The 26-year-old Etobicoke, Ontario product already has 99 games of playoff action under his belt, in which he's collected 41 points and two game-winning goals.