Stanley Cup Playoffs 2013: Key Players Who Will Decide Conference Finals

While hockey requires a lot of production from entire rosters to win games, there are a number of players who can impact series by themselves.

A big-time showing from a key guy can be enough to get a win. Conversely, the squads could be doomed if those same stars fail to be productive.

These players are not necessarily the best on the rosters, but they have been solid in the Stanley Cup playoffs so far. If their teams want to advance to the finals, these key men will need to have strong performances.

Kris Letang, D, Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh has plenty of players who can score. Between Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Chris Kunitz and others, this is certainly a strength on the squad.

However, Kris Letang also contributes on the offensive end due to his passing ability. Through two rounds, he leads the NHL with 13 assists in the playoffs after totaling 33 during the regular season. 

He has to continue to utilize his vision to get the puck to the right guys to help maintain the team's strong offense.

Additionally, Letang has remained solid on defense as well. Overall, he is plus-seven in the postseason and is usually part of the action when good things happen.

While Malkin and Crosby might be the more famous players on the roster, Letang will be more important going forward.

Brad Marchand, LW, Boston Bruins

So far this postseason, David Krejci has been one of the most productive players in the entire league. The center has five goals and 12 assists to lead the NHL with 17 points.

Still, the Bruins will struggle to keep up with the Penguins if they do not get more out of Brad Marchand.

After leading the team with 18 goals during the year, the wing has only two in the playoffs. He was better against the New York Rangers in the conference semifinals, but he is still capable of much more.

Boston has loads of talent with the defensive ability to keep games close against Pittsburgh. However, it will need more scoring out of Marchand to keep up on the scoreboard.

Jonathan Quick, G, Los Angeles Kings

It seems as though Jonathan Quick saves his best moments for the biggest stage. After leading the Los Angeles Kings to the Stanley Cup a year ago, he is well on his way to doing it again this year.

The goaltender had a disappointing regular season with a 2.45 goals against average. Although the Kings were better than the No. 8 seed that they were last year, they still struggled for large parts of the season.

However, he has turned it on once again in the postseason with a 1.5 goals against average and a .948 save percentage.

Things will get tougher in the next round, but Los Angeles should feel confident for now as long as Quick is protecting the net. Then again, the team will be in big trouble if he reverts to his regular-season form.

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