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Late-season call-ups making big impact in Stanley Cup Playoffs
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jonathan Drouin has put a tumultuous regular season behind him. Scott Iskowitz/Getty Images

Late-season call-ups making big impact in Stanley Cup Playoffs

What's the biggest news that came ahead of Game 6 between the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins? Monday morning, it was coach Mike Sullivan’s choice to give Matt Murray the start in net.

While opinions on starting the rookie in a pivotal game varied, there’s no denying that Murray has been an impact player for the Pens since being called up to the NHL club in February and stepping between the pipes for injured veteran Marc-Andre Fleury.

Murray is in fact one of a handful of latter-season call-ups who has stayed up in the NHL and made his mark on these Stanley Cup Playoffs — a couple of them even playing in front of Murray and contributing to the Penguins' playoff wins.

Here are five other players recalled later in the regular season who have made an impact through Round 2 in the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Jonathan Drouin, Tampa Bay Lightning — Called up: April 4

It seems like just yesterday that Drouin was the disgruntled forward making headlines for refusing to report to Tampa Bay’s AHL affiliate in Syracuse and getting himself suspended in the process. But the 21-year-old rookie has since become an important piece of a Lightning team that has made it through two playoff rounds without some of its star players.

What stands out about Drouin’s postseason performance the most has been his toughness. During Game 3 against the New York Islanders, Drouin had to leave the ice after enduring a massive hit from Isles defender Thomas Hickey. He then returned in the third frame and set up teammate Nikita Kucherov for the game-tying goal that sent the contest into overtime and resulted in a victory for the Bolts.

Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper gave the 21-year-old a glowing endorsement after that game, as USA Today reported:

“We’ve talked about this before — he made some decisions, and I respect him so much for it. He stuck up for what he believed in at the time; people can debate whether it was right or wrong. 
“But he came back to be a hockey player. And it’s been a pleasure coaching him. And he’s kind of injected some life into our team. He’s been great to be around. Just what happened tonight, I think just spells his character and what he’s about. Just really proud of him.”

Colton Sissons, Nashville Predators — Called up: Latest recall in March

In his NHL playoff debut — being slated in for the injured Craig Smith — the fourth-liner hasn’t done much on the stat sheet in the way of scoring. He has, however, logged hits in two tough series against Anaheim and San Jose, respectively, and has been dominant in the face-off circle, winning all seven opportunities in Saturday’s Game 5 against the Sharks.

Sissons also absorbed the nastiest leg injury of Round 2 when he collided with the goalie post, one that miraculously didn’t take him out of the series.

Radek Faksa, Dallas Stars — Called up: February 5

It means a great deal to make a statement on an offense led by Jamie Benn. But scoring the Game 1 game-winner in the first round against Anaheim was just a piece of what Faksa has brought to a Dallas team that plays better when its offense does the heavy lifting.

The Star Tribune explained what the 22-year-old Czech is doing to make an impact:

…Faksa found his NHL spot doing the little things for Dallas. On a team that looks offense first, Faksa is a steadying defensive center who kills penalties, takes key defensive draws, and often is matched up with the opposition’s top line. 
It’s impressed Faksa’s teammates, including his fellow countryman and linemate Ales Hemsky. 
“We don’t grow that many players like that in our country, it’s not in our genes I guess,” Hemsky said. “He’s still a skill guy, but he comes to NHL and learned not everyone will make it that way [as a scorer]. It’s tough to crack the lineup if you don’t score 20 goals in your first season. But, he’s really figured it out quicker than most guys ever do that this game is played all over the ice.”

Bryan Rust, Pittsburgh Penguins — Called up: Latest recall on January 7

The injury-plagued Penguins wouldn’t have made it past the Rangers in the first round without help from the youngsters who have came into the fold. Rust is part of that equation.

He has logged three points and a plus-4 in his nine-game postseason campaign, in addition to spending time paired with Evgeni Malkin in the Pens’ second-round battle with the Washington Capitals.

Coach Mike Sullivan described Rust’s impact to Bill West of the Pittsburgh Tribune:

“I think, regardless of what line we put him on, he helps us win. He helps us get momentum. He helps us get the puck back. He puts our opponents under pressure. I think when you have that, it helps us establish the game that we want to play.”

Conor Sheary, Pittsburgh Penguins — Called up: Latest recall on March 12

Like Rust, Sheary has become a player whom Sullivan feels comfortable pairing with veterans to give Pittsburgh’s offense a spark. He filled in holes for the Pens after being recalled during the late regular-season push, but his role as an accessory to the veteran core has been evident since the first round, when the 23-year-old rookie started logging big minutes on the wing of captain Sidney Crosby.

“We can move him up and down the lineup,” Sullivan reportedly said to the Pittsburgh Tribune. “He can play with our top players because he has good offensive instincts, and he sees the ice very well.”

Of course, with the end of the series with the Washington Capitals in sight, hopes are that Sheary will help put more points on the board in the latter games — and keeping his knees in one piece would be a plus.

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