Hot or Not: Tavares, Benn sizzle; Toews, Lundqvist, Jagr sputter

12:36 PM ET

If the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs is any indication of what’s in store over the next two months as teams battle for the chance to hoist the Cup in late June, then buckle up, hockey fans. It’s going to be an incredible postseason run. There were some tantalizing performances in the first round, along with a few head scratchers too.

Here are the players trending up and down as the first round draws to a close.

Hot

John Tavares, New York Islanders: The captain finally proved why he was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Man, did he take the Islanders and put them on his back en route to a first-round victory over the Atlantic Division-winning Panthers. In Game 6, Tavares scored the game-tying goal with 53.2 seconds remaining in regulation, then produced the game-winning tally in double-overtime. He finished the first round with five goals and four assists for nine points. Another indication that he’s been dialed in of late is the fact that he has 11 goals and nine assists for 20 points in his last 12 games, dating back to March 31.

Matt Murray, Pittsburgh Penguins: Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said this about his 21-year-old goaltender: “He’s a good goalie. Matt is mature beyond his years, a young kid but a real solid competitor. He’s a guy that responds well to pressure.” He certainly is. Penguins starting goalie Marc-Andre Fleury was sidelined for the first round as he recovered from a concussion. Murray did not start the series because of his own ailment — an upper-body injury he had suffered on April 9 — but he returned and was outstanding in Games 3, 4 and 5 to lead the Penguins to a series victory over the Rangers.

Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning: After Lightning captain Steven Stamkos underwent surgery on April 4 to remove a blood clot that would force him to miss the first round, the Lightning needed someone to step up and provide some …

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