NHL Playoffs 2016: The All-Postseason Team Through 2 Rounds

The start of the NHL conference finals means we're just past the halfway point of the Stanley Cup playoffs. It's time to single out the players, such as Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop (above left) and defenseman Victor Hedman (right), who've had all-star-worthy performances thus far.

In this slideshow, we've selected players for our first and second All-Star teams. There's also a third-team list for those deserving of honorable mention. Overall player performance and individual stats throughout both rounds were among the factors that went into the compilation. 

Do you agree with our listings? Feel free to express your opinion on this topic in the comments section below.

Third-Team Selections

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Left wing: Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars. In 13 games against the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues, the Stars captain tallied five goals and 10 assists for 15 points. However, the bulk of his production (10 points) came against the Wild. He was held to just five points as the Blues eliminated the Stars in seven games.

Center: John Tavares, New York Islanders. Tavares dominated during the Islanders first-round elimination of the Florida Panthers, netting nine points in six games. The Tampa Bay Lightning subsequently limited him to just two points in five games as the Isles were bounced from the second round. 

Defensemen: Shea Weber and Roman Josi, Nashville Predators. Had the Predators advanced to the Western Conference Final, Weber and Josi might've been higher on this list. Both were among the playoff leaders in total ice time, and Weber leads all defensemen with two game-winning goals. However, their poor play in Game 7 against the San Jose Sharks contributed to the Predators' second-round elimination. 

Right wing: Phil Kessel, Pittsburgh Penguins. While superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were each held to two points against the Washington Capitals; Kessel filled the offensive void. Half of his 12 points came against the Capitals. After two rounds, he's the Penguins' leading scorer.

Goaltender: Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals. Despite the Capitals being bounced from the second round, Holtby finished the playoffs leading all goalies in goals-against average (1.72) and save percentage (.942). He's also tied for the lead in shutouts (two) with Ben Bishop of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Second-Team Left Wing: Colin Wilson, Nashville Predators

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Nashville Predators left wing Colin Wilson struggled through an injury-hampered regular season, with only eight goals and 24 points in 64 games. In the 2016 playoffs, however, he turned into a scoring machine. 

With 13 points in 14 games, the 26-year-old Wilson finished this postseason as the Predators' leading scorer. He's also among the top five in playoff points. With points in seven straight games, he established a Predators playoff record, according Brooks Bratten of NashvillePredators.com. 

Wilson put up those offensive numbers against very tough opponents in the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks. He netted five points against the Ducks and seven against the Sharks. Thanks to his efforts, the Predators came within a game of reaching the Western Conference Final.

Second-Team Center: Logan Couture, San Jose Sharks

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The 2015-16 regular season was difficult for San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture. Hampered by injuries, he tallied 36 points in 52 games. In the 2016 playoffs, the 27-year-old has regained his offensive touch. 

In 12 playoff games, Couture leads all scorers with 17 points. He's also among the leaders in game-winning goals. He was held scoreless only twice against the Los Angeles Kings and Nashville Predators. The bulk of his production (11 points) came against the Predators, setting a franchise record for most points in one playoff round, per NHL.com's Eric Gilmore.

As the Sharks prepare to face the St. Louis Blues in the Western Conference Final, Couture is heating up at the right time. If he does half as well against the Blues as he did versus the Predators, the Sharks could be on their way to their first Stanley Cup Final.

Second-Team Right Wing: Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning

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Tampa Bay Lighting right wing Nikita Kucherov established himself last spring as a strong playoff performer with 22 points in 26 games. In the 2016 playoffs, he's picked up where he left off almost a year ago.

With nine goals and 12 points in 10 games, Kucherov is tied for the lead among playoff goal scorers. In the Lightning's opening-round series against the Detroit Red Wings, he netted eight points in five games. In two of those games, he had two goals and an assist. In the second round against the New York Islanders, he scored four goals in five games.

Kucherov's offensive exploits enabled the Lightning to make quick work of the Red Wings and Lightning. He could be a significant factor in the Eastern Conference Final against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Second-Team Defenseman: Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins

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Defenseman Kris Letang is the undisputed linchpin of the Pittsburgh Penguins' blue-line corps. In the 2016 playoffs, the 29-year-old continues to show why he's among the league's best rearguards. He played a substantial role in the Penguins' march to the Eastern Conference Final. 

After two rounds, Letang is second in average time on ice (29 minutes and 26 seconds), with over 23 minutes at even strength. With eight points in 10 games, he's among the leading scorers for defensemen. He's also playing a solid game in his own zone, ranking among the Penguins' leaders in hits, blocked shots and takeaways.

The only knock on Letang thus far is his undisciplined play. In the second-round series against the Washington Capitals, he received a one-game suspension for interference against Caps forward Marcus Johansson. For the Penguins to advance against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the conference final, Letang must put forth a more disciplined effort.

Second-Team Defenseman: Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning

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Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman had a very good performance during the 2015 NHL playoffs, tallying 14 points in 26 games. After two rounds of the 2016 playoffs, the 25-year-old is on pace to eclipse that performance.

With four goals and five assists for nine points, Hedman's one of the top five scorers among postseason defensemen. He's also third among the Lightning's scoring leaders. Eight of those points came in the Bolts' second-round series against the New York Islanders. He was also strong in his own zone in that series, playing a key role in containing Islanders captain and leading scorer John Tavares. 

Thanks in part to Hedman's solid two-way play, the Lightning advanced to the Eastern Conference Final for the second straight year. He'll face a strong challenge against the Pittsburgh Penguins' scoring depth. Then again, they could have a difficult time containing him.

Second-Team Goaltender: Matt Murray, Pittsburgh Penguins

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Stanley Cup playoff history is replete with stories of rookie goaltenders overcoming their inexperience to backstop their teams to victory. Matt Murray of the Pittsburgh Penguins is writing his own chapter into NHL postseason lore. 

After two rounds, Murray sits third in goals-against average (2.05) and save percentage (9.35) among playoff starting goaltenders. He outplayed Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers and won a hard-fought six-game goaltending duel with Braden Holtby of the Washington Capitals. Because of his outstanding play, regular Pens starter Marc-Andre Fleury has been reduced to a backup role. 

Only 21 and with just 13 NHL regular-season games under his belt, Murray played with a veteran's poise and confidence. Thanks to his efforts, the Penguins advanced to the Eastern Conference Final. Considered the Penguins' goalie of the future when the regular season began, it appears the future has now arrived.

First-Team Left Wing: Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals

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The Washington Capitals were once again unable to get past the second round of the playoffs. However, that failure couldn't be pinned upon captain Alex Ovechkin. The 30-year-old superstar finished with five goals and seven assists for 12 points in as many games. He finished third in scoring among left wingers and among the overall playoff leaders in points. 

Held to five points in six games in the opening-round series against the Philadelphia Flyers, Ovechkin tallied two goals and seven points in six games against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Four of those points came in the final two games of that series. 

With his team facing elimination in Games 5 and 6 against the Penguins, Ovechkin rose to the occasion as a good captain should. He was a serious offensive threat every time he stepped onto the ice. Ovechkin also outperformed Penguins stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

First-Team Center: Joe Pavelski, San Jose Sharks

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Teams look to their captains to lead by example in the heat of playoff competition. Through two rounds of the 2016 playoffs, Joe Pavelski of the San Jose Sharks rose to the challenge. The 31-year-old was a driving force in his club's elimination of the Los Angeles Kings and Nashville Predators. 

Through two rounds, Pavelski's the postseason leader in game-winning goals (three) and tied for the lead in goals with nine. He also leads all Sharks forwards in total ice time (247:21) and ranks among the Sharks leaders in hits (32). A versatile player, Pavelski plays center at even strength and can also skate at right wing. He plays on the point during the power play.

Pavelski's leadership, all-around skills and timely scoring are among the reasons the Sharks advanced to the Western Conference Final. The St. Louis Blues will have their hands full containing the Sharks' captain.

First-Team Right Wing: David Backes, St. Louis Blues

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David Backes of the St. Louis Blues has always been a lead-by-example player and captain. He's given a fine display of that ability in the 2016 playoffs. 

A center skating on right wing this spring, Backes' three game-winning goals have him tied for the lead among playoff scorers. Two of those came in overtime. His 12 points place him among the leading playoff scorers. He's also been a physical presence, tied for third in hits with 57, and is a valuable part of the Blues' special teams. 

Thanks in part to Backes' leadership, timely offense, physical style and two-way game, the Blues reached the Western Conference Final for the first time since 2001. If he can maintain this pace against the Sharks, they could have a good shot at reaching the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in 46 years.

First-Team Defenseman: Alex Pietrangelo, St. Louis Blues

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Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo has long been a steady presence on the Blues' blue line. In the 2016 playoffs, the 26-year-old is the workhorse of their defense corps.

Through two playoff rounds, Pietrangelo leads all defensemen in takeaways (16), blocked shots (43), total time on ice (415:40) and average ice time (29:41). His seven points in 14 games also ranks among the top 10 scorers for rearguards. 

Pietrangelo lacks the gaudy offensive numbers of several of his peers in the 2016 playoffs. However, his all-around performance played a significant role in the Blues advancing to the Western Conference Final.

First-Team Defenseman: Brent Burns, San Jose Sharks

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San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns received overdue recognition as one of the NHL's best defensemen by being named a finalist for the 2016 James Norris Memorial Trophy. He's carried over his strong regular-season performance into the 2016 playoffs. 

In 12 games against the Los Angeles Kings and Nashville Predators, Burns tallied four goals and 11 assists for 15 points. He leads all playoff defensemen in points and sits third in the overall scoring lead. He's also logged the third-most power-play ice time (49:15). 

Burns is a significant offensive force for the Sharks this spring. He's a big reason why they're marching to the Western Conference Final for the first time in five years.

First-Team Goaltender: Ben Bishop, Tampa Bay Lightning

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Goaltender Ben Bishop played a crucial role in the Tampa Bay Lightning's march to the 2015 Stanley Cup Final. In the 2016 playoffs, he appears to be taking his game to another level. 

After two rounds, the 6'7" Bishop is second in goal-against average (1.89) and save percentage (.938). His two shutouts have him tied for the postseason lead. What's most impressive is both shutouts came in series-clinching games against the Detroit Red Wings and New York Islanders. In only two games has his save percentage dropped below .929. 

With those stats, it's no wonder the Lightning made quick work of the Red Wings and Islanders to advance to the Eastern Conference Final for the second consecutive year. They'll face a tougher opponent in the Pittsburgh Penguins. With Bishop on top of his game, however, they could make another return trip to the Stanley Cup Final. 

All stats via NHL.com.