The second round of the NHL playoffs is nearly one week old, and through 11 games the New York Rangers are the only club without a win.
It's a sign that things are tight in the second round and every team has gotten strong contributions from somewhere. However, it's not always the big goal or even the strong performances that impact a series most.
Here are five players making their marks on the second round:
Braden Holtby
Holtby's rollercoaster three games against the Pittsburgh Penguins have made this Eastern Conference matchup a compelling one.
Holtby had a forgettable Game 1, giving up three goals on 21 shots - including two to Sidney Crosby in less than a minute - and followed that up with an even worse Game 2 that saw him replaced to start the third period.
However, he rebounded in a big way Monday, going nearly perfect until a late Penguins surge. In the end, he helped the Capitals earn an overtime win and get back into the series.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau
Even if Pageau doesn't do another thing the rest of the postseason, he can still be credited with a game for the ages.
The Ottawa Senators forward scored four goals Saturday, including the double-overtime winner in a wild 6-5 comeback. Pageau scored two goals in the final 3:19 to send the game to overtime where he finished it off just over 23 minutes later.
A Rangers win would've halved the series and given New York home-ice advantage, but now the pressure is on the Metropolitan club to respond at Madison Square Garden. All thanks to a kid they call the "Honey badger."
Jakob Silfverberg
Silfverberg might be public enemy No. 1 in Edmonton.
The Anaheim Ducks forward has scored in each of the first three games and was monumental in the Ducks' 6-3 win Sunday.
Related: Silfverberg proving to be playoff hero with Ducks
Silfverberg posted two goals and an assist to give him six tallies and eight points in seven playoff games. He's gaining a knack for elevating his play in the postseason and the Ducks are all the better for it.
The Ducks are still in a 2-1 hole, but things could quickly even up if Silfverberg keeps doing his thing.
Ryan Ellis
As everyone predicted, the Nashville Predators are cruising along in the second round thanks to their leading scorer, Ellis.
Wait, what?
Yes, the Predators defender paces the club with eight points in seven games and has not gone pointless since Game 1 of Round 1. He's posted two goals and four points in the first three games against the St. Louis Blues and helped his team jump out to a 2-1 series lead.
The Predators are getting incredible contributions from their defense this postseason and Ellis is leading the pack.
Sidney Crosby
Crosby was riding a six-game point streak before being knocked out of Monday's contest by Matt Niskanen just 2:11 in.
He netted two goals in 52 seconds in Game 1 to help the Penguins cruise to a 3-2 victory and followed that up with two helpers in Game 2.
However, his biggest impact was likely felt in his absence in Game 3, as the Penguins chased the game for nearly 52 minutes before an epic comeback. In the end, though, the Capitals prevailed, but we could be talking about a 3-0 series deficit had Crosby been given the opportunity to extend his point streak.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)
