5 players who wowed us in NHL Conference Finals

WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 20: The Vegas Golden Knights celebrate defeating the Winnipeg Jets 2-1 in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals to advance to the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Bell MTS Place on May 20, 2018 in Winnipeg, Canada. (Photo by David Lipnowski/Getty Images) /

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LAS VEGAS, NV – MAY 04: Alex Tuch #89 of the Vegas Golden Knights reacts after scoring a power-play goal against the San Jose Sharks in the second period of Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on May 4, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights won 5-3. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

4. Alex Tuch

Points don’t tell the Alex Tuch story for the Western Conference Final. I immediately look back to Game 4. Tuch was everywhere. You couldn’t go a minute or two without mention from the broadcast about his impact.

From pinching defensively, creating outlets and forcing offensive zone turnovers, Tuch made all the right moves not only in that showing but in multiple moments against Winnipeg.

Not to mention adding the first goal in the clinching Game 5; that’s a good bump, too.

The @GoldenKnights take a 1-0 lead after this goal from Alex Tuch. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/IsweI7HIvn
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) May 20, 2018

With six playoff goals, including one in Games 3 and 5, Tuch has three goals on the power play and two game-winners this postseason. I mentioned in the Marchessault slide about the trickle down from an extremely productive first line. Tuch is one of those methods of production.

His awareness not only in the offensive zone but on the forecheck completely puts teams on their heels, and Winnipeg surely felt his impact.

The Final should see similar impact if Vegas continues to hum line to line.

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