Hot or Not: Hedman and Couture sizzled, Ovechkin and Renne fizzled

12:21 PM ET

We’re down to four teams who are vying for the final two spots on hockey’s ultimate stage. Both the Eastern and Western Conference finals kick off this weekend. It’s the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Tampa Bay Lightning in the East, and the St. Louis Blues and the San Jose Sharks in the West.

Giddy-up, folks, because both series are going to be a good ones. Before the puck drops on the next round, here’s who has shined — or declined — in the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs so far.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Hot

Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning: No doubt the 25-year-old defenseman should be considered as an early Conn Smythe candidate. He has four goals and five assists for nine points in the first 10 games of this postseason and is a major reason why the Lightning advanced to their second consecutive Eastern Conference final.

Matt Murray, Pittsburgh Penguins: Time and again, Penguins coach Mike Sullivan described Murray, 21, as being confident and mature beyond his years. The rookie netminder proved that and was solid in leading Pittsburgh to a second-round series victory over the Washington Capitals. He made 36 saves en route to a 4-3 overtime win in Game 6. Overall, he’s 7-2 this postseason and became the first rookie goalie to win multiple series-clinching games in the Stanley Cup playoffs since 2006, when Cam Ward registered four with Carolina, while Ilya Bryzgalov (Anaheim) and Ryan Miller (Buffalo) each had two.

Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning: Who needs Steven Stamkos? Just kidding. But the 22-year-old Russian forward is proving he’s not a one-hit wonder from a postseason ago. This spring, he’s leading the offensive charge for the Bolts with nine goals and three assists for 12 points in 10 playoff games. He’s also a plus-11 in the playoffs.

Not

John Tavares, New York Islanders: The captain was the reason why the Islanders reached the second round, but after posting …

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