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5 best goals through 2 rounds of the Stanley Cup playoffs

Adam Hunger / USA TODAY Sports

To score in the playoffs, you need to either be willing to get hit in the mouth, or capable of the extraordinary. Fortunately for these big-game performers - and their chompers - they're proficient in the latter.

Here are the top five goals through two rounds of the Stanley Cup playoffs:

5) Kuznetsov carves Islanders

Evgeny Kuznetsov had something of a coming-out party for the Washington Capitals in their opening-round triumph over the New York Islanders.

His three-point effort in Game 5 helped the Caps to their first lead in the series, but his mammoth moment came late in Game 7, when he exploded around Frans Nielsen and took a beeline to the far post.

That celebration, too.

4) Showtime spins, finds Versteeg

Gaining strength in his shoulder and steam in the Conn Smythe Trophy race, Chicago Blackhawks superstar Patrick Kane has had plenty of fine moments since his unpredicted return from a broken collar bone.

His seven-goal total - aesthetically - is unrivaled in this postseason, but it's an assist that's stood out most thus far.

And to think, he should only be returning just about now.

3) Tarasenk-oh my goodness

In a goal-of-the-season redux, Vladimir Tarasenko brought his On Broadway production to the Twin Cities, beating Devan Dubnyk with the move Peter Forsberg may have created, but the Blues forward has since perfected.

2) Ovechkin switches planes

Though he promised to put pucks behind Henrik Lundqvist all series long, this type of goal - even for the purist goal-scorer on the planet - is absolutely unsustainable.

Defying physics and all biomechanical principles, Alex Ovechkin produced enough leverage - with barely a body part making contact with the ice - to beat the New York Rangers netminder from a near-horizontal plane of attack.

1) Extraterrestrial Etem

Emerson Etem with the NHL version of Messi slays Boateng.

The Anaheim Ducks' lesser-used part is the title holder through two rounds, making talented Winnipeg Jets defender Jacob Trouba miss - wildly - before sending a clever backhand lob over Ondrej Pavelec's shoulder with only a sliver of ice to work with.

- All videos courtesy the NHL's Youtube page

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