PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Penguins pulled off a dramatic 3-2 win over the San Jose Sharks on Monday night in Game 1, and the intensity will increase as the Stanley Cup finals progress.
Both teams reached this point because of outstanding efforts from each player on the roster. We categorized them in three groups:
Big-timers (players expected to perform well and are);
Playoff surprises (players who have raised their games);
Essential pluggers (players who don't get a lot of attention but are key to their team's success).
Here is the breakdown for the Penguins:
Big-timers
Sidney Crosby, C: The best player in the world is playing at his best. His vision and hockey sense are at an all-time high. The captain knows this opportunity doesn't come along often and he's seizing the moment.
Kris Letang, D: Averaging close to 30 minutes per game, the veteran defenseman is doing it all at both ends of the ice. As long as he can stay out of the penalty box, he should be an integral part of this team's success.
Evgeni Malkin, C: He can be a beast on the ice when he wants to be. He has shown that at times, but he needs to bring that every shift if the Penguins are to win this series.
Phil Kessel, RW: It's amazing what he can produce when he's not the guy on a team. He's more of a complementary player in Pittsburgh and that's paying dividends for the Penguins.
Playoff surprises
Bryan Rust, RW: He's really not a surprise, but his talent and relentless work ethic have been vital. His six goals in the postseason broke a franchise record for a rookie in the playoffs.
Conor Sheary, W: The rookie has been a perfect fit on the line with Crosby. Sheary's speed is essential for Crosby's game and the give-and-go factor between them has been key.
Carl Hagelin, LW: There's a reason coach Mike Sullivan wanted Hagelin on this team. The two worked together with the New York Rangers and since the Penguins acquired Hagelin in a trade from the Anaheim Ducks, he has become a complete two-way player and has made the players around him better.
Nick Bonino, C: This component to the "HBK" line proved crucial with his game-winning goal in Game 1.
Matt Murray, G: It has been an easy decision for Sullivan to put Murray between the pipes. The 22-year-old goaltender is reliable, steady and has shown no weaknesses playing on hockey's biggest stage.
Essential pluggers
Patric Hornqvist, RW: He was the last pick (No. 230 overall) in the 2005 draft. His linemate, Crosby, was the No. 1 overall selection that year. Now Hornqvist's relentless style of play is helping Crosby play at his best.
Chris Kunitz, LW: His versatility allows him to play anywhere in the lineup.
Matt Cullen, C: His veteran leadership, and the fact that he won a Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes, have been important factors. Plus, he's a really good player for a 39-year-old.
Ben Lovejoy, D: Having a veteran defenseman who understands his role is necessary, and his contributions can sometimes go unnoticed.
Ian Cole, D: A solid third-pairing guy who uses his size and strength to keep the opposition at bay.
Eric Fehr, RW: Teams don't get this far without a player like Fehr. His contributions on the fourth line show the depth of this team.
Tom Kuhnhackl, RW: His size, strength and controlled reckless abandon have been important to the team's fourth line.
Brian Dumoulin, D: His steady, solid style of play has been perfect alongside Letang.
Olli Maatta, D: The 21-year-old struggled early in the playoffs, but he found his game and has been solid when the team has needed him most in the absence of veteran defenseman Trevor Daley (broken ankle).
Justin Schultz, D: His contributions as a third-pairing defenseman should not go unnoticed.