NHL Players Who Will Have the Biggest Impact on the 2016 Playoff Race

With only a month left in the 2015-16 NHL regular season, the final push for the playoffs is underway. Several postseason contenders are jockeying to improve their positioning while others battle to secure a wild-card berth. A handful of players, such as center Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins (pictured above), could significantly affect the playoff race. 

Scorers such as Crosby aren't the only players who could play a big part in the postseason chase. Several clubs will need strong performances from their goaltenders. Some will rely heavily on their top defensemen.

Here's a look at the NHL players who will have the biggest impact upon the 2016 playoff race. Feel free to voice your opinions in the comments section below. 

Thomas Greiss, New York Islanders

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On March 8, Newsday's Arthur Staple reported New York Islanders starting goaltender Jaroslav Halak suffered a groin injury during a 2-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Staple subsequently reported that head coach Jack Capuano said Halak would miss at least six weeks of action. It's up to backup Thomas Greiss to shoulder the goaltending load for the rest of the season.

Greiss has a good record (19 wins, nine losses and four overtime losses) this season, with a 2.26 goals-against average and .928 save percentage. However, he lacks Halak's experience as a starter. That could prove crucial as the Isles try to nail down a playoff spot.

The Islanders face a serious challenge from the surging Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers in the Metropolitan Division. Greiss' goaltending could be the difference between moving up in the playoff standings or falling out of contention.

Niklas Kronwall, Detroit Red Wings

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

The Detroit Red Wings' streak of playoff appearances is in danger of ending at 24 seasons. They're battling with the resurgent Philadelphia Flyers for the final wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference. Losing top defenseman Niklas Kronwall to a sprained knee couldn't have come at a worst time.

Kronwall averages a team-leading 22:27 of ice time. His all-around skills and physical style are difficult to replace. After missing a week, he returned to action on March 19 against the Florida Panthers, collecting two assists in a 5-3 win.  

A lengthier absence for Kronwall could've put the Red Wings' postseason hopes in jeopardy. His return doesn't guarantee them a wild-card spot, but it does improve their chances of reaching the playoffs for a 25th straight season.

Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi, Dallas Stars

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Antti Niemi and Kari Lehtonen have almost equally shared the Dallas Stars' goaltending duties this season. As their blue line remains a work in progress, carrying two experienced starters should provide invaluable depth in the crease.

A closer look, however, reveals Niemi and Lehtonen's combined goals-against stat (2.81) ranks among the league's worst. If not for their league-leading offense, the Stars wouldn't be contending with the Los Angeles Kings and St. Louis Blues for top spot in the Western Conference.

On Friday, NHL.com's Steve Hunt reported Stars center Tyler Seguin suffered a cut to his right Achilles tendon and will miss three to four weeks. With one of their top scorers sidelined for the rest of the regular season, goaltending could take on more importance for the Stars. To secure first place in the Western Conference, they need a better effort from Niemi and Lehtonen.

Shayne Gostisbehere, Philadelphia Flyers

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

The Philadelphia Flyers are in a tight fight with the Detroit Red Wings for the final wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference. Playing a significant role in their late-season surge into playoff contention is rookie defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere.

Since joining the Flyers on Nov. 14, Gostisbehere has established himself among their core players. He's tallied 16 goals and 39 points in 52 games. The 22-year-old is tied for the team lead in game-winning goals (five) with Brayden Schenn, while his 20 power-play points ranks among the club leaders. 

Gostisbehere has the poise of a veteran, providing invaluable offensive contributions from the blue line. If he doesn't wilt under the pressure of this stretch drive, the Flyers could be holding a wild-card spot by season's end.

Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators

Mark Zaleski/Associated Press

The Nashville Predators hold the top wild-card position in the Western Conference. They have a seven-point cushion over the Colorado Avalanche and are only five points behind the third-place Chicago Blackhawks in the Central Division. Part of the credit belongs to the goaltending of Pekka Rinne. 

After struggling through the first half of this season, the 33-year-old Rinne has returned to form. Since Feb. 18, he's won nine of his last 12 starts, posting a save percentage of .921 or higher in all but three of those contests.

Because of the resurgence in Rinne's play, the Predators are avoiding a repeat of last year's late-season swoon. If he maintains his solid performance, the Preds could widen their lead over the Avalanche and possibly overtake the Blackhawks.

Ryan Suter, Minnesota Wild

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

The Minnesota Wild are in a close battle with the Colorado Avalanche for the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Defensive breakdowns, however, proved costly in recent games. With the Wild's season on the line, they'll look to team leaders such as defenseman Ryan Suter to reverse their fortunes.

Suter is the linchpin of the Wild's blue-line corps, logging big minutes (2,070) in all situations. They will lean heavily upon him as they attempt to stay in the playoff chase. His fellow blueliners will be looking to him for guidance and stability.

Suter's leadership will be crucial as the Wild try to overcome their recent defensive woes. Their playoff hopes could depend on it.

Semyon Varlamov, Colorado Avalanche

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

When the Colorado Avalanche reached the playoffs in 2014, it was largely because goaltender Semyon Varlamov carried them there. With the Avalanche among this season's worst defenses, their postseason hopes once again rest with the 27-year-old Varlamov.

Consistency has been an issue for Varlamov  this season. While on pace for 30 wins, his 2.66 goals-against average and .917 save percentage ranks well below the league's top starters. While young backup Calvin Pickard has slightly better stats (2.61 GAA and .921 save percentage), Varlamov has considerably more big-game experience.

The Avalanche are battling with the Minnesota Wild for the final wild-card berth in the Western Conference. To secure that berth, they need Varlamov to be at his best over the remainder of this season.

Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks

Jae C. Hong/Associated Press

By the NHL's Christmas break, the Anaheim Ducks were last in the Western Conference. Nearly three months later, they're jostling with the San Jose Sharks for second in the Pacific Division. Among the reasons behind their second-half surge is the improved performance of center Ryan Getzlaf.

After struggling through an unusually poor first half—he recorded just one point in his first eight games—Getzlaf regained his offensive touch to become the Ducks' leading scorer. Thanks in part to their captain's efforts, they look like a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.

Getzlaf's perseverance in overcoming his early-season struggles should be an inspiration to his teammates. His leadership and all-around skills could determine how much higher the Ducks could fly in the playoff standings.

Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning

Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

The Tampa Bay Lightning marched to the 2015 Stanley Cup Final, but a return trip this season isn't assured. Struggling of late—they've won just two of their past seven games—the Lightning risk being overtaken by the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers. As they try to secure a playoff berth, they will look to center and team captain Steven Stamkos for clutch scoring and leadership. 

A genuine NHL superstar, Stamkos is also the Lightning's franchise player. As a result, he faces the most pressure to carry his club into the playoffs and toward a championship. While he has seven points in nine games since March 3, he was held scoreless in five of those outings.

Stamkos is also in the final season of his contract and will be expensive to re-sign. His performance will not only affect the Lightning's playoff hopes but also his long-term future in Tampa Bay.

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

The Pittsburgh Penguins are staging a late-season climb up the Eastern Conference playoff standings. To maintain that momentum down the stretch, they need their top players to be at their best. That burden will rest heaviest upon team captain Sidney Crosby.

After struggling offensively through the opening two months of this season—he put up points in two of his first 11 games—Crosby's been on a torrid offensive pace through the second half. With 31 goals and 74 points in 70 games, the 28-year-old center is within striking distance of second place in the NHL scoring race. 

With center Evgeni Malkin sidelined for the rest of the regular season, Crosby will be expected to shoulder more offensive responsibilities. His performance will go a long way to determining the Penguins' playoff fate.

Player stats and playoff standings (as of March 19) via NHL.com.