In a series expected to be dominated by a plethora of superstars, it's the Pittsburgh Penguins' role players that have had the greatest impact.
It was supposed to be Sidney Crosby versus Alex Ovechkin, but the team captains have scored only one and three points, respectively, through four games.
Pittsburgh, currently in command of a 3-1 series lead, benefited from the production of Nick Bonino and Carl Hagelin, who each have four points, but head coach Mike Sullivan is giving credit to the entire roster.
"It seems like every night different people step up at different times and make important key plays that help us win," Sullivan told Mark Giannotto of The Washington Post. "Sometimes they're game-winning goals, but sometimes they're subtle plays ... For me, that's the essence of a team and that's what I've grown to admire about this group."
The superstar scoring shortage runs deeper than Crosby and Ovechkin, as Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel have four points combined, while Nicklas Backstrom and Evgeny Kuznetsov have one each.
Although it may not be living up to the expected narrative, Crosby is happy with his team's success.
"You just have to believe in the way you play and trust that we'll get our chances, and when we do, someone will step up," he said. "It's been different guys."
The balanced recipe is working for the Penguins, on the cusp of advancing to the conference finals for the first time since 2013.
"We have a nice mix of young players with a veteran core group that get along extremely well," Sullivan said. "I think because of that chemistry, it has helped both sides, whether it be the core guys or the role players that step up and make key plays at key times that help us win."
