Pittsburgh Penguins' 5 Most Impressive Players During 2013 Playoffs

After a surviving a hard-fought series against the New York Islanders, the Pittsburgh Penguins advanced to face the Ottawa Senators in the second round.

While some Penguin players have disappointed with their performance, most notably goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, others have risen to the occasion and been instrumental in the Penguins' success thus far.

While there is still a lot of hockey left to be played and plenty of time for new heroes to emerge, here is a countdown of the five most impressive Penguins players during the playoffs so far.

Honorable Mention: Tyler Kennedy

A lot of Penguins fans, myself included, mistakenly believed that Kennedy no longer filled a role on the Penguins, having been relegated to the fourth line. We were wrong.

While his regular-season numbers were unimpressive, Tyler Kennedy brings speed and tenacity to the Penguins' lineup, something they were missing early in the first round.

In addition, Kennedy has scored big goals in the playoffs and did so again in Game 5 against the Islanders when the Penguins needed a change in momentum. Of his 12 career playoff goals, six have been game-winners.

Since he entered the lineup, Kennedy has made an immediate impact and figures to remain an integral part of the Penguins lineup for the rest of their playoff run.

No. 5: Jarome Iginla

After missing the last three postseasons as the captain of the Calgary Flames, Jarome Iginla entered this postseason as perhaps the most motivated member of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Having won a gold medal playing alongside Sidney Crosby for Team Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Iginla arrived in Pittsburgh looking to add a Stanley Cup to his Hall of Fame resume.

As a point-per-game player in the playoffs during his career, Iginla has continued his strong play in the playoffs with two goals and eight assists through the first eight games of the playoffs.

With his booming shot from the point on the power play and ability to create traffic in front of the opponent's net, Iginla has added new elements to the Penguins' game, and his strong play is a big reason for their success in the playoffs thus far.

No. 4: Pascal Dupuis

After spending the regular season playing alongside Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz, Pascal Dupuis was already having a career year.

Having scored 20 goals in a strike-shortened 48-game season, Dupuis would have easily surpassed his career-best of 25 goals in 82 games from the previous year. Through the first eight games of the playoffs, Dupuis has continued his inspired play and is tied with Sidney Crosby for the team and NHL lead in goals with six. 

In addition to his offensive production, Dupuis has become one of the key players on the Penguins' penalty kill and scored a shorthanded goal in Game 1 against Ottawa to seal the victory.

With the blistering shot and playmaking ability of a top-line player as well as the speed and work ethic of a checking-line player, Dupuis has become an indispensable member of the Penguins and a big part of their success in the playoffs thus year.

No. 3: Tomas Vokoun

Since he replaced Marc-Andre Fleury in net, Tomas Vokoun has given the Penguins the consistent goaltending they will need to continue their march through the Stanley Cup playoffs.

In four playoff games thus far, Vokoun has an impressive 1.70 goals-against average and a .945 save percentage, good for fourth-best in both categories among playoff goaltenders. In addition, his exceptional skill at handling the puck has enabled the Penguins to improve their transition game and neutralize their opponent's forecheck.

Penguin fans, however, should remember that Vokoun is 36, had only played in 11 playoff games prior to this season and has not been an everyday goaltender for the past couple of seasons. With that in mind, the Penguins coaching staff will be watching to see how he handles the increased pressure and workload.

While Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma may decide at some point that Vokoun has hit the wall and go back to Marc-Andre Fleury, his strong play in net has been one of the most impressive playoff performances thus far.

No. 2: Sidney Crosby

After missing the last month of the regular season with a broken jaw, Sidney Crosby's availability for the playoffs was a question mark. Since he returned in Game 2 against the Islanders, Crosby's play has been an exclamation point.

Registering six goals and six assists so far in the playoffs, Crosby has led the way for the Penguins both offensively and defensively. With his hat trick in Game 2 against Ottawa, Crosby became the fifth-fastest player to achieve 100 playoff points in his career, accomplishing the feat in just 75 games.

Having been nominated for the Hart and Masterton trophies for his MVP-level play and for his perseverance and commitment to hockey, Crosby seems intent on adding a Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe Trophy to his resume. 

His play thus far in the playoffs is a big reason that the Penguins are up 2-0 in their series against Ottawa and looking to advance to the Eastern Conference Final for the first time since 2009.

No. 1: Evgeni Malkin

While Tomas Vokoun and Sidney Crosby have garnered most of the headlines for the Penguins, Evgeni Malkin has quietly led the way for the Penguins in the postseason.

Coming off of a down year by his standards, Malkin has shown both grit and skill thus far and leads the Penguins with 14 points (three goals and 11 assists) through eight games.

He has showed a physical side in racking up 17 penalty minutes, which is second on the team only to Douglas Murray. Despite the loss of linemate James Neal for two games due to injury, Malkin has excelled in the role of playmaker, and his 11 assists lead all playoff skaters.

With teams likely to focus on Sidney Crosby, who along with linemate Pascal Dupuis and Patrick Sharp of the Blackhawks is tied for the lead in postseason goals with six, expect Malkin to cash in on his opportunities.

If Malkin can continue the inspired play he has shown thus far in the playoffs, it's hard to see how the Ottawa Senators, or any other team, will be able to slow down the march of these Penguins toward the Stanley Cup.