Over the last three seasons, no Los Angeles Kings player has shown more year-on-year progression than Adrian Kempe.
From an inconsistent young player still trying to find his role in the NHL, to back-to-back 35+ goal seasons, to the team lead in points, Kempe has emerged as a true star in this league.
Now it's time for him to carry that stardom into the postseason and remain an X-factor for this Kings team against the Edmonton Oilers.
We saw his ability to do it in the playoffs last season, leading the team in goals and points in their six playoff games with five and eight respectively.
Consistency is the mark of a true star though. It wasn't enough to be a difference-maker in one playoff series, he needs to prove he can do it every time this team gets to game 83 and beyond.
Fortunately for Kempe, his blend of size, speed and skill makes him an ideal forward for the playoffs, especially with the physical edge he has.
He's also going to be relied upon in all situations. He's a first-line forward at 5-on-5, a staple on the top power-play unit and one of the team's main penalty killers.
Kempe has to have an impact across the full 200 feet every night for this team.
No one can truly match the star power of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, but in Kempe, the Kings have someone who can help close the gap.
He recently won the team MVP award, and for my money, has comfortably been their best player this season.
If he's that player against Edmonton, the Kings' chances of winning increase by quite a bit, if he can't be, their chances are extremely low.
That's the bar Kempe has set for himself now. It isn't enough for him to be good, he has to be a star.
He needs to play the majority of his minutes against one of McDavid or Draisaitl and still turn that matchup for the Kings.
The load isn't Kempe's alone to carry, but there will be a heavy burden on his shoulders.