The 2017 Stanley Cup Playoff All-Postseason Team

The 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs reached its climax with the Pittsburgh Penguins downing the Nashville Predators in the Cup Final to win their second straight championship. The postseason also saw worthy performances by Penguins captain Sidney Crosby and Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne. 

Crosby and Rinne played significant roles in their respective clubs' march to the Final. They were among several players who rose to the occasion on hockey's biggest stage and deserve recognition for their efforts. 

Here's a look at our NHL all-postseason team this year, listing the first- and second-team all-stars plus a list of honorable mentions. Overall performance through the course of the playoffs, statistics, experience and leadership factored into this compilation. 

Feel free to express your views on our list in the comments section below. 

Honorable Mentions

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Jake Allen, St. Louis Blues

Though the Blues were eliminated from the second round in six games, Allen's performance was outstanding. His .935 save percentage ranked second-best among this spring's goaltenders. He also tied for second in goals-against average (1.96) with Nashville's Pekka Rinne. 

Craig Anderson, Ottawa Senators

The 36-year-old's solid goaltending carried the Senators to within a double-overtime goal of reaching the 2017 Stanley Cup Final. He finished second in playoff wins (11), fifth in goals-against average (2.34) and seventh in save percentage (.922). 

Viktor Arvidsson, Nashville Predators

Arvidsson's splendid sophomore regular-season play carried over into the playoffs. The 24-year-old left wing's 10 assists tied him with Ryan Johansen, P.K. Subban and Mattias Ekholm for the Predators' lead in that category. 

Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers

While all eyes were on superstar Connor McDavid, it was Draisaitl who shone brightest for the Oilers. With 16 points in 13 games, the 21-year-old finished as the Oilers' leading scorer. He remained among this postseason's leading scorers.  

Mattias Ekholm, Nashville Predators

Ekholm was an important part of the Predators' defense corps. The 6'4", 215-pounder gave Nashville's blue line a physical edge and offensive depth. He finished in a four-way tie among Predators scorers for most assists with 10. 

Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks

The 32-year-old Ducks captain remains an offensive physical presence in the playoffs. Getzlaf led the Ducks in assists (11) and points (19). He was among the postseason scoring leaders.

Ryan Johansen, Nashville Predators

Until sidelined by a season-ending leg injury midway through the Western Conference Final, Johansen was the Predators' top forward. He finished the postseason with 13 points in 14 games. His absence left a big hole at center for Nashville in the Stanley Cup Final. 

Rickard Rakell, Anaheim Ducks

A high-ankle sprain sidelined Rakell from the final two games of the Western Conference Final. The Ducks certainly missed his offensive presence. He finished third among Anaheim's scorers in goals (seven) and points (13). 

Jakob Silfverberg, Anaheim Ducks

Having scored a career-best 23 goals in the regular season, Silfverberg also tallied a personal-best nine playoff goals this spring. He led the Ducks in that category and was among this postseason's leading goal scorers. 

Second-Team All Stars

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Center: Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins

A Conn Smythe Trophy winner in 2009, Malkin had another strong postseason in 2017. He led all scorers with 28 points. The 30-year-old center also finished second to teammates Jake Guentzel in goals (10) and Sidney Crosby in assists (18). 

Malkin's production's dropped slightly as the playoffs progressed, tallying 18 of his 28 points through the first two rounds. However, he remained a dangerous scoring threat for the Penguins in the Eastern Conference and Stanley Cup finals. 

Left Wing: Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators

Among the Predators' leading scorers in the regular season, Forsberg emerged as their top forward in the 2017 playoffs. The 22-year-old led his club in goals (nine) and points (16). He's also among the postseason's top 10 in those categories. 

Forsberg's production dropped off following linemate Ryan Johansen's season-ending leg injury in the Western Conference Final. He managed only one point in the Stanley Cup Final. Still, he was a key reason behind the Predators reaching the Final for the first time in franchise history. 

Right Wing: Bobby Ryan, Ottawa Senators

Coming off the worst regular-season performance of his career, Ryan redeemed himself with a strong effort in the 2017 playoffs. He led the Senators in game-winning goals (three) and finished second in points with 15. 

Ryan's willingness to buy into a two-way style made him an all-around physical presence in this year's postseason. During the Senators' surprising march to the Eastern Conference Final, he ranked among their leaders in hits (47), blocked shots (13) and takeaways (10). 

Defenseman: Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators

One of the NHL's top defensemen, Karlsson elevated his game in the 2017 playoffs. The Senators captain led his club—and all playoff defensemen—with 18 points. He also led all players who skated in the first three rounds in time on ice per game, averaging 28 minutes and seven seconds. 

Making Karlsson's efforts more impressive is that he accomplished those feats with two hairline fractures in his left heel. His efforts in leading the underdog Senators to the Eastern Conference Final will be part of the club's folklore for years. 

Defenseman: Ryan Ellis, Nashville Predators

Often overshadowed by teammates P.K. Subban and Roman Josi, Ellis emerged into the spotlight during the 2017 playoffs. A skilled puck-moving defenseman, the 26-year-old tied with Viktor Arvidsson and Ryan Johansen for third among Predators scorers. 

Ellis also played well in his own zone, leading the Predators in blocked shots (51) and finishing among their leaders in takeaways (13). He was also second in short-handed time on ice per game (2:16). 

Goaltender: Matt Murray and Marc-Andre Fleury (tie), Pittsburgh Penguins

A team usually sticks with one goaltender during its playoff run. The Pittsburgh Penguins, however, marched to their second consecutive championship thanks to the tandem of Murray and Fleury. 

With Murray sidelined to open the playoffs, Fleury backstopped the Penguins to series victories over the Columbus Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals. Murray stepped in during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final and carried them over the Ottawa Senators and the Predators in the Cup Final. 

First-Team Goaltender: Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators

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Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne had a decent regular season, with 31 wins, a 2.42 goals-against average and .918 save percentage. But in the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs, the 34-year-old regained the form that made him a three-time Vezina Trophy finalist as the NHL's top goalie.

Throughout the opening three rounds, Rinne was the postseason's dominant goaltender. In 16 games against the Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues and Anaheim Ducks, his save percentage dipped below .927 only four times. He finished the playoffs leading all goalie in wins (14), tied for second with St. Louis' Jake Allen in goals-against average (1.96) and was third in save percentage (.930). 

Rinne's struggles on the road during the Stanley Cup Final contributed to the Predators falling in six games to the Penguins. But without his stellar play in the previous rounds, his club probably wouldn't have gone as far as it did. He was Nashville's most valuable player and the top goaltender throughout the 2017 playoffs.  

First-Team Defenseman: P.K. Subban, Nashville Predators

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With 40 points in 66 regular-season games, defenseman P.K. Subban had a solid first season with the Nashville Predators. In the 2017 playoffs, the charismatic 28-year-old played a prominent role in helping his club reach their first-ever Stanley Cup Final. 

In 22 postseason games, Subban scored twice and 12 points. He led the Predators in power-play points (six) while his 10 assists tied with Viktor Arvidson, Ryan Johansen and Mattias Ekholm for the club lead. He also finished second on the Preds in time on ice per game (25 minutes and 32 seconds) and tied for third in blocked shots (32) with Matt Irwin.

Subban's brash risk-taking style proved a good fit in Nashville this season. He was an invaluable part of the Predators' talented and mobile defense corps throughout their long Stanley Cup playoff run. 

First-Team Defenseman: Roman Josi, Nashville Predators

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With Shea Weber traded to Montreal last summer for P.K. Subban, Roman Josi stepped up this season as the leader of the Predators' defense corps. He thrived in that role throughout the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs, as Nashville's mobile blue line was crucial to their club's postseason success.  

Through the Predators' long playoff run, Josi was their best defenseman. The 27-year-old led his club in time on ice per game (25 minutes and 45 seconds), short-handed time on ice (2:26) and shots (76). He also finished second among Nashville scorers in points (14) and power-play points (six).

Having emerged from Weber's shadow during the regular season, Josi was an invaluable part of the Predators' success in the 2017 playoffs. His efforts are worthy of recognition among the top performers. 

First-Team Right Wing: Phil Kessel, Pittsburgh Penguins

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During the Pittsburgh Penguins' march to the 2016 Stanley Cup, right wing Phil Kessel was their scoring leader. Though not as dominant in the 2017 playoffs, the 29-year-old was a key contributor to the Penguins offense.

Kessel was lethal on the Pittsburgh power play. His 11 points with the man advantage tied him with linemate Evgeni Malkin for the top spot among playoff scorers. Kessel also finished third in points (23) and fourth in assists (15), while his eight goals placed him among the top 10 scorers.

Though Kessel struggled to score in the Stanley Cup Final against the Nashville Predators, he tallied three points in the Penguins' 6-0 victory in Game 5. His overall performance throughout the postseason earned him a spot among the postseason's first-team all-stars.

First-Team Left Wing: Jake Guentzel, Pittsburgh Penguins

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Coming off a solid rookie season (16 goals, 33 points in 40 games), Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Jake Guentzel made his first-ever NHL postseason a memorable one. His offensive exploits played a vital role in his club's march to the 2017 Stanley Cup championship.

Virtually unknown when the playoffs began, Guentzel emerged as a scoring star for the Penguins. Skating mainly on Sidney Crosby's line, the 22-year-old winger's 13 goals led all postseason scorers. He also finished fourth in points with 21. 

Guentzel led the Penguins with five game-winning goals, setting a record for playoff rookies. He also tied the league rookie record for playoff points and finished one goal shy of the rookie record held by Dino Ciccarelli. It was truly a remarkable performance by the young Penguins winger.

First-Team Center: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

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For the second straight year, center Sidney Crosby was the engine that drove the Pittsburgh Penguins to a Stanley Cup championship. His offensive skills, determination and leadership in the 2017 playoffs earned him his second consecutive Conn Smythe Trophy as the postseason's most valuable player. 

The 29-year-old Penguins captain led all playoff scorers in assists (19). He was second in points (27) and among the top 10 in goals with eight. Crosby led all Penguins forwards in time on ice per game (19 minutes and 23 seconds) and finished second in takeaways (16). He also overcame a concussion that forced him to miss nearly two games in the second-round series against Washington.

Crosby belongs to some elite company in NHL playoff history. He's the third player to win consecutive playoff MVP honors, joining Philadelphia Flyers goalie Bernie Parent (1974, 1975) and former Penguins captain Mario Lemieux (1991, 1992). He's also the sixth player to win the award twice, joining Parent, Lemieux, Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky and three-time winner Patrick Roy. 

Stats and player info via NHL.com and Hockey Reference.