Ranking the Top Breakout Stars of the 2016 NHL Playoffs so Far

During the NHL playoffs, it's not uncommon for unheralded players to have breakout performances. This year is no different. Several players, such as youngsters like promising St. Louis Blues forward Robby Fabbri, are using the postseason as a springboard toward stardom.

Not everyone taking their first notable bows in the Stanley Cup playoffs spotlight are rookies such as Fabbri. Several veterans who've gone largely unnoticed by NHL fans are garnering league-wide attention thanks to their performances this spring. 

The following slideshow ranks the top breakout stars thus far in the 2016 NHL playoffs. Feel free to weigh in with your thoughts on this ranking in the comments section below. 

8. Colton Parayko, St. Louis Blues

Kamil Krzaczynski/Associated Press

St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko is having little difficulty adjusting to the pace and pressure of NHL playoff action. In 16 games, he's scored twice and collected three assists for five points. 

The 6'6", 226-pound Parayko is also a steady presence in the Blues zone, sitting among the playoff leaders for defensemen in takeaways (13). He's averaged a respectable 20 minutes, 10 seconds of ice time per game. 

During the regular season, Parayko was overshadowed by the star power of rookies such as Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid and Chicago Blackhawks left wing Artemi Panarin.

However, the 23-year-old established himself this season as a rising young blue-line talent. He earned second-pairing minutes while becoming a key part of Blues defense corps.

With the Blues advancing to the Western Conference Final, Parayko is getting noticed for his size, skills and poise. He should continue making a name for himself throughout the remainder of the 2016 playoffs and beyond. 

7. Thomas Greiss, New York Islanders

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

Throughout his NHL career, New York Islanders goaltender Thomas Greiss was considered strictly a backup netminder. A season-ending injury to Jaroslav Halak, however, gave the 30-year-old a chance to shine in the starting goalie role.

Greiss made the most of his opportunities during the regular season. He won 23 games in 38 starts, with a 2.36 goals-against average and .925 save percentage. 

In the Islanders' six-game opening-round elimination of the Florida Panthers, Greiss outdueled Panthers goaltender Roberto Luongo. He finished the playoffs with a respectable 2.46 goals-against average and .923 save percentage. 

On May 12, NHL.com's David Satriano reported Isles general manager Garth Snow praised Greiss' efforts.

"

[Greiss] proved to be a No. 1 goalie in the League this season. Thomas came in and displayed a great work ethic whether he was playing or whether he was backing up on a certain night. I think Thomas earned the respect from our players, from our coaches because of his personality, his demeanor, his work ethic. And when he got the opportunity to play, he seized it and he played great for us.

"

Considering Greiss' performance throughout 2015-16, the full-time starter's job with the Islanders could be his next season.

6. Colin Wilson, Nashville Predators

Mark Zaleski/Associated Press

Now in his seventh NHL season, Nashville Predators left wing Colin Wilson wasn't widely known among fans around the league. His play through two rounds of the 2016 postseason helped raise his profile. 

Through two rounds and 14 games, Wilson tallied five goals and assisted on eight others for 13 points. On May 10, Brooks Bratten of NashvillePredators.com reported the 26-year-old set a franchise record with a seven-game playoff points streak.

Wilson finished the postseason as the Predators' leading scorer. He remains among the playoff points leaders. 

Wilson's numbers were a far cry from his disappointing 24 points in 64 regular-season games this season. His 2016 playoff performance was a good example of what he's capable of when he's on his game. 

5. Nick Bonino, Pittsburgh Penguins

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

In his seven NHL seasons, Pittsburgh Penguins center Nick Bonino earned a reputation as a good two-way center. Though he tallied a career-high 22 goals and 49 points in 2013-14 with the Anaheim Ducks, he managed only 29 points in 63 games this season as a third-line center. 

During the 2016 playoffs, Bonino is playing a substantial role as a playmaker with linemates Carl Hagelin and Phil Kessel.  With Penguins stars Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Patric Hornqvist struggling to score, Bonino's line is picking up the slack.

After 14 games, Bonino has two goals and 10 assists for 12 points. The 28-year-old sits third among Penguins scorers. One of his two goals was the Game 6 series-clinching overtime tally against the Washington Capitals.

The Bonino line played a crucial role in the Penguins advancing to the Eastern Conference Final. Fans have dubbed them "The HBK Line." That's drawn the attention of a more famous HBK, none other than former WWE star Shawn Michaels.

Bonino and his linemates show no sign of buckling under playoff pressure. Their efforts have the Penguins only two games away from advancing to their first Stanley Cup Final since 2009. 

4. Jonathan Drouin, Tampa Bay Lightning

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

Left wing Jonathan Drouin is among the reasons the Tampa Bay Lightning returned to the Eastern Conference Final for the second straight year.

Through two playoff rounds and 13 games, Drouin has four goals and seven assists for 11 points. That puts the 21-year-old among the Lightning's leading scorers.

Drouin's playoff performance is offsetting an otherwise difficult sophomore campaign. After struggling through injuries and limited playing time during the first half of this season, he was demoted to the minors on Jan. 2.

Soon afterward, Drouin refused to play for nearly two months in hopes of forcing a trade. He eventually ended his holdout and returned to the Lightning's farm team in Syracuse. Since being recalled on April 7 to replace the sidelined Steven Stamkos, he's made the most of his second chance to establish himself as an NHL star. 

During Drouin's tenure in the minors, his days with the Lightning seemed to be numbered. Given his current playoff performance, his future in Tampa Bay now appears much more secure. 

3. Martin Jones, San Jose Sharks

Ben Margot/Associated Press

Acquired in a trade last summer, goaltender Martin Jones was a key factor behind the San Jose Sharks' improvement this season.

In his first season as an NHL starting goalie, the 26-year-old won 37 games in 65 starts. He posted up a respectable 2.27 goals-against average, a .918 save percentage and six shutouts. 

Earlier in the 2016 playoffs, Jones' play was largely overshadowed by the stellar performances of Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby and Ben Bishop of the Tampa Bay Lightning. After backstopping the Sharks into the Western Conference Final against the St. Louis Blues, he is finally getting his due.

After 14 games, Jones was tied for the lead in victories (nine) and shutouts (two). He also moved into third in postseason GAA (2.01) and fifth in save percentage (.923). 

Sharks general manager Doug Wilson gambled on Jones blossoming into a quality starter. With the Sharks seeking their first-ever appearance in the Stanley Cup Final, that gamble is making Wilson look like a genius. 

2. Robby Fabbri. St. Louis Blues

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

St. Louis Blues rookie Robby Fabbri is having little difficulty adjusting to his first NHL postseason. With three goals and 10 assists for 13 points in 16 games, he's among the playoffs' scoring leaders.

As of May 18, Fabbri was tops among this spring's rookie scorers. A center converted to left wing, he was also tied with Vladimir Tarasenko and David Backes for the Blues' points lead. 

Fabbri also enjoyed a solid regular season. He tallied 18 goals and 19 assists for a respectable 37 points in 72 games. 

The 20-year-old finished the regular season among the Blues' leading scorers. He was also one of this season's top rookies. 

In the 2016 playoffs, Fabbri is emerging as an NHL star in his own right. He joins forwards Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz, defenseman Colton Parayko and goalie Jake Allen as part of the Blues' growing core of young talent.

1. Matt Murray, Pittsburgh Penguins

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Pittsburgh Penguins rookie goaltender Matt Murray began this season as the heir apparent to veteran Marc-Andre Fleury. However, Fleury's late-season concussion forced the 21-year-old Murray into the starter's job sooner than expected.

Murray acquitted himself well during his brief regular-season appearances. He won nine of 13 starts with a 2.00 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage. His biggest test, however, came in the playoffs.

After missing the opening two games of the playoffs with an injury, Murray returned to backstop the Penguins to a five-game elimination of the New York Rangers. Next, he outdueled Vezina Trophy finalist Braden Holtby as the Penguins bounced the Washington Capitals from the second round in six games. 

Following Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Murray was tied for the lead among playoff goalies with nine victories. He's also among the postseason leaders in goals-against average (2.13) and save percentage (.928). 

Thanks in part to Murray's effort, the Penguins are within two games of reaching the 2016 Stanley Cup Final. As a result, the now-recovered Fleury is reduced to a backup role. That raises questions about the veteran's long-term future with the Penguins. 

All stats (as of May 18, 2016) via NHL.com.