Jack Eichel, Nico Hischier and more: 8 NHL players poised for playoff breakouts

The playoffs are the most pivotal time of the season. The pressure mounts, which makes any accomplishment all the more impressive — both at a team and individual level.

A strong playoff performance can be a defining moment. It can become a part of a skater’s identity, and raise their value around the league. Which players are poised to break out in the playoffs this year, and elevate their game as the stakes rise? Let’s dive into some of this year’s candidates.

Eastern Conference

Nico Hischier, New Jersey Devils

In Nico Hischier’s sixth NHL season, he’s set to make his second trip to the playoffs. To this point, he has just five games of experience, which came after his rookie year. Now, his return to the postseason will come on the heels of his best season yet.

Hischier’s been a two-way force in New Jersey this year. Already he’s proven to be a strong playmaker at this level, but he’s increased his shooting this year as well — about three shot attempts per 60 from his career high, with more emphasis on getting to the quality areas. The fact that he’s a dual threat makes him trickier to defend, especially alongside Dawson Mercer who’s been scoring a lot since moving to Hischier’s wing. All of that’s led to the team captain scoring at a career-high rate of 3.04 points per 60.

A lot of the focus in New Jersey is rightfully on Jack Hughes, the team MVP. If top defenders are matched up against him to try and slow down his game in transition, it should free up Hischier a bit more to do some damage in the playoffs. If New Jersey can’t play to its strengths off the rush, Hischier has versatility in his game to create off the cycle as well. Add in the fact that his offense is balanced by shutdown defense that matches up against top competition, and this Selke-caliber forward is one to watch on both ends of the ice.

Brandon Hagel, Tampa Bay Lightning

Brandon Hagel was moved from the struggling Blackhawks to the Lightning last deadline, and made his playoff debut that spring. He experienced a deep run to the Stanley Cup Final, playing 23 games in which he tallied two goals and six points. The forechecking forward, who could also create off the rush, was an ideal deadline add. He seemed like a strong replacement for Blake Coleman, who departed as a free agent after winning two championships. But he didn’t mesh as well as he could have in that first stint in Tampa Bay, so he wasn’t nearly as impactful as the team may have hoped.

That’s changed this season, however. Hagel’s almost exclusively played in the top six this season, with elite linemates — the explosive-skating Brayden Point, and all-star Nikita Kucherov. Point’s been the primary shooter of the line, while Kucherov tends to set up those looks. Hagel plays a pivotal role, as he’s strong on the forecheck and helps maintain possession for his linemates. He can do the little things essential to his linemates’ scoring plays, and has increased…