5 rookies to watch in the Stanley Cup playoffs
This year's postseason will feature a talent pool like no other.
The playoffs will feature this season's top-four point producers - who have combined for 354 playoff games - as well as seven of the league's top-10 scorers.
On top of that, we will also see several players get their first taste of the NHL playoffs. The 2015-16 campaign saw several rookies not only stick with their teams, but help them reach the very spot they sit in now.
With that, here are five rookies to watch in the playoffs:
Artemi Panarin
Panarin enters his first NHL postseason after winning the rookie scoring race. He was the only first-timer to hit the 30-goal mark and built a 21-point cushion between him and second-place finisher Jack Eichel.
While he is considered a rookie, the 24-year-old has a considerable age gap between himself and his fellow rookie class. He finished second in team scoring and should not only capture the Calder Trophy, but will be an integral piece of a Chicago Blackhawks team looking to repeat as champs.
Dylan Larkin
This postseason could quite literally see a passing of the torch.
With this season's playoff installment believed to be Pavel Datsyuk's last, it would be only fitting for Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin to pick it up.
The 19-year-old made his debut this season after spending a year marinating at the University of Michigan. In doing so, he became the first Red Wings rookie to hit the 20-goal plateau since Henrik Zetterberg did so in 2003, while also leading the team in that category.
His 18 even-strength goals and five game-winning goals also bested his fellow Red Wings. Heading into the playoffs, very few rookies will be relied on as heavily as Larkin.
Shayne Gostisbehere
Are you afraid of ghosts?
The Washington Capitals might very well be as they have scored the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round, a team that boasts arguably the hottest defenseman down the stretch, Shayne Gostisbehere.
Gostisbehere set a Flyers' rookie defenseman record with 17 goals in 64 games. He also constructed a 15-game point streak, the third longest streak by a rookie since the 1987-88 season.
He has incredible speed and has already proven that he is willing to do whatever he can to help his team win. With the stakes now elevated, we should expect great things from this Calder Trophy hopeful.
Colton Parayko
Gostisbehere is not the only blueliner to keep an eye on.
Colton Parayko seemingly came out of nowhere this season and played a reliable role on the Blues' back end. His nine goals were the second-most by a Blues' defenseman next to Kevin Shattenkirk, while his 33 points ranked third.
He played heavy minutes averaging the fourth-most ice-time on the team, as a rookie. With whispers and uncertainties regarding Shattenkirk's future with the team, he could give the club some leverage moving forward.
He might not be as flashy as the rest on the list, but Parayko will still be vital to any potential run by the Blues.
Robby Fabbri
Another member of the St. Louis Blues could shine in his first taste of playoff action.
Robby Fabbri had a solid first season in the league, filling the net 18 times -good enough for third on the team - while adding 19 helpers in 72 games.
Fabbri's 16 even-strength goals were good enough for second on the club, behind only Vladimir Tarasenko. Fabbri is a talented and speedy winger who has a deceptively good shot.
He can slot up and down the lineup, which can be clutch when secondary scoring becomes a must-have in tight games.