NHL Players Who Will Have the Biggest Impact on the 2015 Playoff Race

The NHL's best teams are gearing up for the playoffs by resting injured players and making certain all of their top men are ready for the long run this spring.

Teams still pushing for the playoffs don't have that luxury. Those teams are asking big minutes from their best players, and in doing so, could impact their chances of winning the Stanley Cup.

Here are nine NHL players who will have an enormous impact on the league between now and the end of the regular season.

Ryan Spooner, C, Boston Bruins

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What Does He Do for the Team? Ryan Spooner is a rookie center for the Boston Bruins. He has played in fewer than 50 NHL games.

Is This a New Role? Spooner is in a more prominent role and is delivering in a big way since his recent recall. He has been a point-per-game player for the club during this time.

How Important Is He to the Team? Spooner has been a big help to the Bruins throughout their latest push to make the playoffs. Spooner and fellow rookie David Pastrnak are giving Boston more offensive weapons in every game.

T. J. Brodie, D, Calgary Flames

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What Does He Do for the Team? T.J. Brodie plays monster minutes on defense for the Calgary Flames. The numbers at BehindTheNet.ca tell us he's played tough opposition and hasn't gotten much of a zone-start break. According to Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com, he has played most often with Mark Giordano, and they formed a fantastic tandem for much of this year.

Is This a New Role? The major change for Brodie came recently when partner Giordano went down with an injury. Flames general manager Brad Treliving told Comcast SportsNet's Mark Spector that Giordano would be out 4-5 months (h/t Jason Brough of NBC Sports' Pro Hockey Talk).

How Important Is He to the Team? Now that Giordano is hurt, Brodie's role becomes even more important to the Flames' success. He'll be counted on in all areas and perhaps receive long-overdue credit for his fine play.

Pavel Datsyuk, C, Detroit Red Wings

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What Does He Do for the Team? Pavel Datsyuk is a brilliant player and the leader of the Detroit Red Wings. He plays a 200-foot game and is famous for his phantom backcheck moves. 

Is This a New Role? Datsyuk's role hasn't changed, but his injuries are becoming more prevalent as he ages. This year, he's experienced shoulder and groin issues.

How Important Is He to the Team? The Red Wings rely on Datsyuk for his range of skills and his experience, but he's also extremely productive. During this playoff run he's been outstanding, scoring 13 points in his last 10 games for Detroit. It's very interesting to see that the team's No. 2 scorer in that stretch—Justin Abdelkader—has only eight points, which emphasizes just how valuable Datsyuk's timely play is.

Roberto Luongo, G, Florida Panthers

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What Does He Do for the Team? Roberto Luongo is a quality, veteran goaltender who provides the Florida Panthers with consistent play. Teams without a reliable goaltender know the value of this type of player.

Is This a New Role? Luongo has changed cities during his career, but never his role nor the quality of his play.

How Important Is He to the Team? There has been controversy in his career, but none of it from the player. Roberto Luongo gives a young, emerging Panthers team the opportunity to win, while also going through the growing pains of youth. His value to Florida is immeasurable.

Drew Doughty, D, Los Angeles Kings

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What Does He Do for the Team? Drew Doughty is a complete defenseman. He plays over 29 minutes a night—tops in the NHL—and BehindTheNet.ca shows he plays against the other teams' toughest opposition.

Is This a New Role? In 2013-14 Doughty played over 25 minutes a night, which is significant, but far less than this year.

How Important Is He to the Team? Drew Doughty plays half the game and does it against the best players in the NHL. Doughty has played a lot in the last three seasons—including 64 playoff games—but the Kings need to ride him through the rest of the regular season. They are fighting for their playoff lives.

Devan Dubnyk, G, Minnesota Wild

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What Does He Do for the Team? Goaltender Devan Dubnyk has been outstanding for the Minnesota Wild since coming over in a trade with the Arizona Coyotes. The cost—a third-round pick in 2015—was very small considering Dubnyk's impact.

Is This a New Role? It's a new life for Dubnyk, who spent most of last season wandering the hockey wilderness. He played for the Edmonton Oilers, Nashville Predators and Hamilton Bulldogs last season and was a free agent in the summer of 2015.

How Important Is He to the Team? The Wild were a good team that couldn't buy a save until Dubnyk arrived, and now they are a strong contender for the Stanley Cup playoffs. It's one of the biggest stories of the season.

Erik Karlsson, D, Ottawa Senators

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What Does He Do for the Team? Erik Karlsson is one of the best offensive defenseman of his generation. His consistent scoring is a major factor in the success of the Ottawa Senators.

Is This a New Role? Karlsson has basically delivered in this role since he made his NHL debut.

How Important Is He to the Team? The Senators rely on Karlsson for major minutes and impact offense. His style means the puck is often in the offensive zone when he's on the ice, so it's a matter of the best defense being a great offense.

Alexander Ovechkin, LW, Washington Capitals

Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

What Does He Do for the Team? Alexander Ovechkin is the best pure goal scorer of his generation and continues to dominate the competition. 

Is This a New Role? It's hard to believe, but Alex Ovechkin has been driving goalies crazy for 10 years now in the NHL.

How Important Is He to the Team? No one scores goals like Ovechkin, and he seems to be gearing up as the playoff race gets hotter. In his last nine games, Washington's top sniper has scored eight goals in aid of his team's playoff chances.

Michael Hutchinson, G, Winnipeg Jets

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

What Does He Do for the Team? Michael Hutchinson emerged as the Winnipeg Jets' starting goaltender this season. He's become a focal point for the team's success and has won 20 games this year. 

Is This a New Role? Hutchinson played only three NHL games before this season and is outplaying incumbent Ondrej Pavelec so far this year.

How Important Is He to the Team? As the Jets drive toward a playoff spot, Hutchinson's performances are even more important to the team. He has struggled during the team's last 10 games, and his .878 save percentage during that time is cause for concern. Winnipeg badly needs him to pull out of his current tailspin.