Report Card for Every Remaining Superstar in 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs

Superstars alone do not win Stanley Cup championships.

While the best players will lead off the highlight reels and make the headlines, it takes a team to win the Stanley Cup. Role players are important.

But while a key player may emerge in the Stanley Cup playoffs, most coaches know they have to depend on their superstars for consistent production and leadership.

Your stars have to be your best players. That's been a formula for years, especially when a team is facing elimination or is in a close-out position in a series.

With the postseason having reached its penultimate round, here are the report cards for the remaining superstars who are still competing.

Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins

Production: Patrice Bergeron is not going to be an overpowering scorer in the Bruins' scheme of things. However, he works hard to get scoring opportunities and he knows how to finish them off. He has recorded three goals and four assists in 13 playoff games and has a plus-one rating. Overall, those are rather ordinary numbers.

Leadership: Bergeron is one of the top leaders in the Bruins locker room. If they need a big play at the end of the game or if head coach Claude Julien needs to get his message across, he knows that Bergeron will find a way to make the Bruins understand.

Clutch Play: It's hard to be any more of a clutch player than Bergeron was in the seventh game of the first round against the Toronto Maple Leafs. With the Bruins down by a goal in the final minute, Bergeron launched a wrister from just inside the blue line that zipped into the net over the shoulder of goalie James Reimer to tie the score. Bergeron later pounced on a loose puck in overtime and sent it home to give the Bruins one of the most remarkable playoff comebacks of all time.

Overall Grade: A-

Bergeron is not a superstar when it comes to scoring, but he is in all other areas of the game. He took on Evgeni Malkin in a fight in Game 1 and he has tremendous heart and courage.

Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins

Production: Zdeno Chara has been known for having the hardest shot in the league for many years. The big blueliner has scored two goals in the postseason and has added nine assists. He has been excellent from an offensive perspective in this year's postseason.

Leadership: Chara uses his 6'9" and 260-pound frame to dominate the game. He knows he can intimidate some players just by stepping on the ice, but he doesn't just go through the motions. He will punish opponents with fierce body checks, and when he has a chance to pound an opponent legally, he will dish out the punishment.

He uses his extensive reach and long stick to break up passes, shots and rushes better than any defenseman in the game.

Clutch Play: Going back to Game 7 of the Toronto series, Chara fired his big slap shot in the closing minutes of the third period. After his first attempt was blocked and sent wide of the net, Chara loaded the gun again, and Reimer sent the rebound directly to Milan Lucic, who put it in the net to bring the Bruins within one goal. Seconds later, Chara provided a screen for Bergeron on the tying goal.

Overall Grade: A-

His offensive postseason production has been consistent. Chara may turn the puck over on occasion when quicker players get leverage on him by hitting him low, but he wins a large majority of his physical battles.

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

Production: Sidney Crosby is the most talented offensive player in the league. He returned to the Penguins in the second game of the first round against the Islanders, and he has been quite productive in his 11 games back in the lineup, scoring seven goals and eight assists.

If the Penguins find a way to overcome the Bruins in the Eastern Conference Final, it would not be a surprise if Crosby ended up as the league's leading postseason scorer.

Leadership: This is a bit of a double-edged sword for Crosby. When he has the puck in the offensive zone and the Penguins are in need of a goal, nobody sets a better example than him. He can carry the puck, pass it or shoot it to create superb scoring opportunities.

However, in Game 1 against the Bruins, Crosby was yapping and complaining to the officials. He argued with Chara and he slashed Tyler Seguin when he was frustrated with the 3-0 deficit the Penguins faced. That's not the way Crosby wants to play. He came off like a spoiled child, and that's beneath him.

Clutch Play: Crosby was at his best in Game 2 of the conference semifinal series against the Senators. The Penguins had a 1-0 lead in the series, and he put the Senators on their heels by scoring the team's first three goals of the game. The Senators never recovered.

Overall Grade: B+

Crosby welcomes the challenge of playing the best teams on the biggest stage. He is to be lauded for his courage, desire and productivity. However, he needs to focus on what he does best—and not challenging Chara—if he wants to play to his maximum ability.

Jarome Iginla, Pittsburgh Penguins

Production: The longtime Calgary Flame has been making the most of his opportunity to play on a contending team. Iginla has scored four goals and added eight assists in his 12 playoff games. His big shot makes him a threat that opposing defenses must respect every time he steps on the ice.

Leadership: Iginla is one of the most well-respected players in the NHL. He was beloved in Calgary and he had instant rapport with Sidney Crosby when the two were teammates on the Canadian Olympic team in 2010.

Clutch Play: After the Senators won Game 3 of the conference semifinal playoff series to get within 2-1, the Penguins took the heart out of them in Game 4 with a 7-3 victory. Iginla scored the go-ahead goal in the second period and then added a power-play goal in the third. His two-goal game helped the Penguins put a vice grip on the series.

Overall Grade: B+

Iginla has given the Penguins everything they expected from him when they brought him in at the trade deadline. His biggest contribution is his ability to convert offensive chances into excellent scoring opportunities.

Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks

Production: The Blackhawks have one of the best offensive teams in the league in large part because of Patrick Kane's ability to create scoring opportunities with his stick-handling, passing and vision. After an excellent regular-season performance, Kane has been so-so in the playoffs. He has two goals and eight assists in 14 games, and the Blackhawks would like to see more from him.

Leadership: In the past, Kane led with his play on the ice. His off-ice behavior was another matter. He has grown and matured this season, but the Blackhawks would like to see additional improvements in that area.

Clutch Play: The Blackhawks turned their game up a notch after they were down 3-1 to the Detroit Red Wings. Kane helped the Blackhawks get the lead in Game 5 when he set up Bryan Bickell with the opening goal late in the first period. Chicago went on to a 4-1 victory.

Overall Grade: C

While the Blackhawks have built a 2-0 lead in the conference final, Kane has not played up to expectations. He has so much creativity and talent, but his only goals of the playoff year came in losses to the Red Wings. He needs to score more goals.

Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings

Production: The Kings are very concerned about Anze Kopitar. He is their best offensive player and was dominant in last year's postseason run to the Stanley Cup, when he scored eight goals and 12 assists to lead all scorers. It's been a different story this year. Kopitar has put the puck in the net just twice and also has five assists.

Leadership: Kopitar has a sense of calm and confidence that he always carries with him, and his struggles in the postseason have not changed his demeanor. The Kings want more on-ice leadership that comes with production, but Kopitar is still a valued member of the team.

Clutch Play: The Kings and San Jose Sharks were tied at 2-2 after the Sharks won the third and fourth games at the Shark Tank. When the series returned to the Staples Center, it was Kopitar who broke through with the opening goal as he jammed a shot past goalie Antti Niemi. The Kings went on to win the game 3-0.

Overall Grade: C-

The Kings had plenty of scoring on their way to the Stanley Cup last year. This year, they have gotten through two rounds largely on the goaltending of Jonathan Quick. They need much more offense—Kopitar is their best player and he must deliver.

Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins

Production: The Norris Trophy finalist has continued to play excellent hockey in the postseason. He is tied with Evgeni Malkin for the Penguins' scoring lead. Letang has scored three goals and 13 assists in 12 games, and he has been dynamic on the power play. He has two goals and seven assists when the Penguins have the man advantage.

Leadership: Letang is one of the most talented players on an explosive Pittsburgh team, but he is also a key leader on the team. His ability to make plays on the defensive end can't be overstated. Letang will join the attack whenever he can, and his speed allows him to get back and break up opposing rushes.

Clutch Play: Letang was basically an unstoppable force in Game 4 against the Ottawa Senators. With the Senators threatening to tie the series at 2-2, he recorded four assists in an easy 7-3 victory.

Overall Grade: A

Letang is a gifted skater with a wicked shot, and he excels on the defensive end.

Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins

Production: Evgeni Malkin has played most of the postseason as if he wants to take home the second Conn Smythe Trophy of his career. He certainly has the numbers that head coach Dan Bylsma is looking for with four goals and 12 assists.

In addition to his point totals, Malkin's acceleration and decisiveness with the puck make him one of the most dangerous players in the NHL.

Leadership: Malkin came into his own as a leader last season when he led the league in scoring and took home the Hart Trophy as the MVP while Sidney Crosby was out the majority of the season.

However, when he engaged in a fight at the end of the second period of the first game of the Eastern Conference Final with Patrice Bergeron, he was sent to the penalty box for five minutes at the start of the third period when his team had a power play.

Clutch Play: Malkin made sure the Penguins took advantage of their opportunity to advance out of the first round when he had two assists in the clinching Game 6 vs. the Islanders. He got the Pens off on the right foot in the conference semifinals with a goal and an assist in the opening victory vs. the Ottawa Senators.

Overall Grade: A-

Malkin is basically unstoppable when he sets his mind to the task at hand. Other than his ill-timed fight with Bergeron, Malkin is a game-changing force every time he steps on the ice.

Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings

Production: Jonathan Quick is the main reason the Los Angeles Kings are still playing hockey in the Western Conference Final. He was brilliant in the opening series against the St. Louis Blues and even better in the seven-game triumph over the San Jose Sharks in the conference semifinals.

While he has gotten off to a tough start against the Chicago Blackhawks, he still has a 1.76 goals-against average and a .940 save percentage.

Leadership: There's nothing like a huge save to deflate the opponent and inspire your own team. Quick has done that as well as any goalie in the NHL during the last two playoff years. His ability to use his strong legs to go side to side allows him to make saves that other goaltenders couldn't.

Clutch Play: Quick was at his best in the third period of the seventh game against the Sharks. With the Kings clinging to a 2-1 lead, San Jose's Joe Pavelski had the puck and he appeared to have a large area of the net to shoot at. Quick slid to his left, stuck out his glove and made a remarkable save. That allowed the Kings to hold on to the lead and win the series.

Overall Grade: A-

It would have been a straight-up A+, but Quick showed he was actually human in the first two games against Chicago. He was driven from the net in the second game after giving up four goals, the first time in 34 games that the Kings had given up more than three goals in a postseason game.

Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks

Production: Jonathan Toews has had a dreadful playoff season from an offensive perspective. He is the Blackhawks' captain and best all-around player, but he has been held to one goal and six assists. His team needs much more from him.

Leadership: No doubt about Toews' ability in this category. He is one of the best defensive players in the league, he is solid in the faceoff circle and he is not shy about letting his teammates know what they need to do. Despite his youth—Toews is 25—he is one of the most respected players in the NHL.

Clutch Play: Toews always puts in great effort, but his production has been poor. However, he had two assists in the Hawks' much-needed Game 6 victory over the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. He set up the Bryan Bickell goal that allowed the Blackhawks to take a lead they would not relinquish.

Overall Grade: C-

The Blackhawks may have survived two rounds, and they are off to a great start with a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Final, but head coach Joel Quenneville won't feel good about his team until Toews starts scoring goals and dominating games.