Galaxy of stars ready to shine

Evgeny Kuznetsov considers the KHL playoffs in Russia to be as intense as the spotlight for the Stanley Cup playoffs. He has experienced both, thanks to two rounds with the Washington Capitals last season.

This spring, Chicago Blackhawks rookie and fellow Russian Artemi Panarin gets his first taste of the NHL postseason a year after being a point-a-game player for Gagarin Cup-champion CSKA Moscow. Panarin and Patrick Kane trying to land the Cup in Chicago for the fourth time in seven seasons should be a show in itself. Panarin is the first rookie to snipe 30 goals since Jeff Skinner and Michael Grabner in 2010-11, and is considered the frontrunner for the Calder Trophy. The 24-year-old finished with 77 points.

Here's a look at 15 other players to watch when the post-season opens on Wednesday: