The Stanley Cup Playoffs are where reputations are forged and legacies take shape. Each year, a handful of players rise to the moment—elevating their play, shifting narratives, and forcing fans, analysts, and fantasy managers to take notice. Whether it is a breakout performance from an emerging star, a role player stepping into the spotlight, or a top-line talent reaffirming their elite status under the game's brightest lights, these playoff standouts made a clear impact. Here is a look at ten players who raised their profile this postseason, some are stars and some are just here do get things done, whether through clutch scoring, shutdown defense, or simply showing they belong in a bigger conversation moving forward. Quick note, this was written and finalized before the final score of the Leafs and Panthers game. So please take into account any stat changes for those games.

Enjoy!

10. Cam Fowler – St. Louis Blues

Cam Fowler quietly turned back the clock this postseason, matching his career playoff high from 2015 with 10 points (2G, 8A) while anchoring the Blues' blue line. Despite just a 39.7 OZ% start rate, he posted a strong 53.6 CF%, showing he could still tilt the ice with smart reads and crisp puck movement. Fowler drove play in transition, contributed off the rush, and provided steady leadership in high-pressure moments. His performance was a reminder of the value he brings in key situations, poised, productive, and still capable of logging tough minutes when it matters most.

9. Jacob Markstrom – New Jersey Devils

The Devils first round exit should not take away from how well Jacob Markstrom performed. New Jersey came into the postseason banged up, losing key defensive pieces and most notably Jack Hughes, leaving them exposed against a deep, structured Hurricanes squad. Markstrom quietly posted a 0.911 SV% which would normally win you most of your games, just not when you are playing the Hurricanes. With a depleted blue line in front of him and limited offensive support, the odds were stacked. Still, Markstrom held his ground and gave the Devils a fighting chance. His play should not be overlooked despite the series result.

8. Adrian Kempe – Los Angles Kings

Kempe showed up in a big way for the Kings, even if the series did not go LA's way. He posted seven points in six games, logged over 21 minutes TOI and anchored the top power play unit. In fact, he was involved in nearly every power play goal the Kings scored. While LA struggled defensively and could not contain the Oilers' offense and a red-hot Calvin Pickard (more on him later), Kempe was the primary driver of offense and consistently kept the Kings within striking distance. Despite an early exit, Kempe's showing only strengthened stock as a critical part of LA's core next season.

7. Anton Lundell – Florida Panthers

I have kept close tabs on Lundell the past couple of seasons. His path to a larger role has always been tough, and understandably so with Barkov and Bennett locking down the top two center spots. That has kept Lundell anchored to the third line, which is simply the result of the Panthers' depth. With just about 300 NHL games under his belt, he is still in the early stages of his career, but these playoffs have offered a glimpse of what more opportunity and linemates could look like. Lundell, flanked by Brad Marchand and Eetu Luostarinen, has been driving one of Florida's most effective lines, tilting the ice, pushing the pace, and making a real impact.

6. William Nylander – Toronto Maple Leafs

William Nylander has been Toronto's most consistent and dangerous forward this postseason, playing some of the best hockey of his career when it counts. He leads the team with 15 points (6G, 9A) and is averaging nearly 20 minutes a night, setting the tone offensively. His calm, almost unbothered presence can be misread, but Leafs fans know it is part of what makes him so lethal. With a 16.2% shooting rate on 37 shots and involvement in over 70% of the team's power-play production while on the ice, he is carrying the offensive load. That big extension he pushed for? He's making it look like a bargain.

5. Calvin Pickard / Stuart Skinner – Edmonton Oilers

Both Pickard and Skinner deserve credit here. Pickard stepped in when Skinner was pulled early in Round 1 and held the net for six straight games, something he has never done at the NHL level. He helped the Oilers claw back from a 2–0 series hole against L.A., steadying a crease that has long been Edmonton's biggest question mark. Then Pickard got banged up and Skinner returned to go 2–1 vs. Vegas, one shaky loss and two shutout wins, pushing the Oilers into the next round. Still, both goalies have delivered when needed. The big question now: can they keep it going as the pressure mounts? So far, it has been enough to keep the Cup dream alive.

4. Frederik Andersen – Carolina Hurricanes

Frederik Andersen has been exactly what the Hurricanes needed, calm, clutch, and locked in at the perfect time. After missing nearly three months with a knee injury, he returned late in the season and has not looked back. Through eight playoff starts, he has posted a 7–1–1 record with a league-best 1.36 GAA and .937 save percentage. His poised presence has stabilized Carolina in high-pressure moments, and he is not just holding the line, he is raising the play of everyone in front of him. The best part? He's already signed for next season at a cap friendly $2.75M, some tidy work for a contender in full win-now mode.

3. Evander Kane – Edmonton Oilers

You can focus on the obvious names—McDavid, Draisaitl, or even Evan Bouchard – who is leading all defensemen in playoff scoring – but Evander Kane deserves his due. After missing the entire regular season with a knee injury, he jumped straight into the fire and gave Edmonton exactly what they needed. In 10 playoff games, he has racked up four goals, three assists, 27 shots, and 43 hits—stirring things up after the whistle, throwing his weight around, and making life miserable for opponents. He was a permanent fixture in Adin Hill's crease, and while Oilers fans cannot get enough of it, the rest of the league likely hates it, which means Kane is doing his job to perfection.

2. Jake Oettinger – Dallas Stars

Oettinger has been out of this world for the Dallas Stars. Through 13 games, he has posted an 8–5 record with a 2.47 GAA and a .918 save percentage, showing a solid mix of stability and clutch play when it counts. Mentally, he looks dialed in, especially going toe-to-toe with fellow American and Vezina finalist Connor Hellebuyck. He is showing why he belongs in the top-tier goalie conversation. Some of his stops have been highlight-reel worthy and he is giving his team a shot to win every night, the exact kind of goaltending you want from a guy anchoring a contender.

1. Mikko Rantanen – Dallas Stars

Mikko Rantanen has been a playoff wrecking ball in 2025, leading all skaters with 19 points in 13 games and flipping series momentum with back-to-back hat tricks. It took a bit for him to settle in with Dallas, but he is now making Colorado's decision to move him look worse by the game. The fact Carolina sent him back to the Central only adds salt to the wound. Rantanen's elite vision, scoring touch, and clutch gene have taken the Stars’ offense to another level. He is silencing any doubts and reminding everyone he is still one of the league's most dangerous postseason weapons, especially after torching his old team in the playoffs.

Thanks for reading! See you next week! For more fantasy hockey content and analysis, follow me on X @Punters_hockey. If you have any questions about your team or a trade? My DMs are always open — happy to help!