The second round is well underway with many players showing insane talent in the hopes of hoisting the Cup, but three players stood out this week as being exceptional over all others.

This is another post-season edition of THN’s Three Stars of the Week, a regular web feature in which we pick out the three NHL players who did the most damage in the past seven days of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Let’s get right to it in this playoff edition of the feature:

3. Jake Oettinger, G, Dallas Stars

Oettinger hasn’t been flat-out stealing games for the Stars, but he (a) won a Game 7 against Vegas in Round 1, (b) won two of Dallas’ first three games against Colorado, and (c) allowed just eight goals in the first three games of the second round against the Avs. All-in-all this week, the 25-year-old Oettinger has posted a 2.15 goals-against average and .917 save percentage in four games, and that gives him a .918 SP and 2.49 G.A.A. in 38 career playoff appearances.

The Stars have reclaimed home ice advantage after their Game 3 win in Denver, and Oettinger has been doing his part to give Dallas a chance to win every game. He can be the top goalie in just about any series matchup for the Stars, and he’s the best goalie still playing in the Western Conference.

2. Artemi Panarin, LW, New York Rangers

The 32-year-old Panarin generated four assists and six points in four games this week. Both of his goals were game-winners, and he now has five assists and nine points in eight playoff games this spring. Panarin is averaging just over 20 minutes of ice time on a stacked Rangers team this playoffs, but he’s making much more of an impact than he did last season (two assists in seven games), and the Blueshirts are in commanding control of their second-round series against Carolina in no small part because Panarin has stepped up.

The Rangers look like the odds-on favorite to win the Eastern Conference, and Panarin is looking like the elite talent he’s been known to be in the regular season. With a slew of teammates who can put the puck in the net, Panarin’s elite playmaking talents are just what the Rangers want from him. The Rangers are probably only going as far as Panarin (and goalie Igor Shesterkin) carry them, but thus far, he looks up to the challenge.

1. Aleksander Barkov, C, Florida Panthers

With two goals – including one game-winner – and seven points in just three games this week, the 28-year-old Barkov has looked every bit the leader the Panthers need him to be if they’re going to outlast the Boston Bruins and make it to the Eastern final. Barkov’s tenacious defensive approach doesn’t stop him from being effective in the opposition’s zone, and that’s why he’s likely to win the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the NHL’s top defensive forward.

In three games against Boston, the Panthers have been aggressive and largely successful, and it all starts at the top with Barkov, their captain, leading the way. Barkov’s two-way dominance is as good as it gets, and he’s looking like someone in the prime of their playing days. If he continues to thrive, Barkov could well be a Conn Smythe candidate as playoff MVP.