You know all the stars that show up in the commercials for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They are the ones who sell the most jerseys, typically sit atop the statistical charts in the regular season, and adorn magazine covers. The cover boys/glamour boys that get all of the press and love from the NBC collection of networks deserve the praise and attention but it is the heroes that you have never heard of that will make the difference in each playoff round.

The third line forward who has bounced from team to team, the rookie who got called up a month before the playoffs started or the defenseman that sits somewhere between 6th and healthy scratch on the depth chart.

These are the guys that are making a difference in the 2013 playoffs. They certainly aren’t the same players from last season, and won’t be the ones who step up in 2014. Rare is the player that parlays postseason glory into an elite career. The compressed grinding nature of the playoffs doesn’t often translate over an 82 game season.

Last year, Braden Holtby essentially carried the Washington Capitals to the brink of an Eastern Conference Final berth before bowing out to the top seeded New York Rangers. Holtby outdueled the Tim Thomas and the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins through the first round and matched Vezina Trophy winner Henrik Lundqvist nearly save for save in round two. Holtby assumed the role of starting netminder for the Capitals and managed to have a decent season after a rocky start.

Conversely, Chris Kreider of the Rangers was the glory boy, scoring key game winning goals after completing his collegiate career just prior to the start of the playoffs. Kreider was expected to play a key role for blueshirts this season, but instead earned frequent bus miles shuttling between New York and the Rangers’ AHL affiliate in Connecticut.

Here are five players that you may not have heard of, but are key contributors in the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs. Who will become the “Holtby” and who could be the “Kreider”?

5.Travis Hamonic, D, New York Islanders

Some statistics can’t be measured. There is no category for toughness, grit or hockey sense. If there were, Travis Hamonic would be at the top of the table in each category. The Pittsburgh Penguins probably hate Hamonic as much as any Philadelphia Flyer, and probably wish they were going up against the porous Philly defense. Hamonic has only been in the NHL for 183 games and doesn’t know any better than to punch Evgeni Malkin in the mouth or slam Sidney Crosby into the wall. The Islanders are supposed to suck right? Don’t tell Travis Hamonic that, unless you want a fat lip.

4.Nathan Horton, RW, Boston Bruins

Through three playoff games Horton has two game winning goals. The Boston right wing started the season recovering from concussions, but is now providing headaches for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Bruins are loaded with offensive weapons, but have struggled to find consistent scoring. After three playoff games and two Boston wins, Horton has bagged three goals on seven shots. Boston hopes that he can maintain that consistency against their old rivals in Toronto.

3. Brad Stuart, D, San Jose Sharks

Stuart isn’t exactly a nobody, but he tends to get lost in the tank of much more heralded Sharks. Statistically, Stuart doesn’t really register as a hero (one assist  and +3 in 3 games), but the fact that San Jose has essentially shut down one of the best offenses in Vancouver is pretty damn impressive. What is more telling is the difference between the Sharks’ defense this year versus the Detroit Red Wings defense this year. Sure Detroit misses Nick Lidstrom a ton, but they terribly miss the physical presence of Stuart on their blue line. San Jose is glad to have him

2. Kyle Turris, C, Ottawa Senators

Prior to the 2013 playoffs, the only reason I knew of Kyle Turris was because of his ability in the faceoff circle. After the game between Montreal and Ottawa on Sunday, the lasting image I had of Turris was of him on his back getting pummeled by P.K Subban. After Tuesday night however, Turris and his overtime game winner are remembered for giving Ottawa a commanding 3-1 series lead over the 2nd seeded Canadiens.

1.Kyle Okposo, RW, New York Islanders

One of the main reasons that the plucky Isles are deadlocked with the “elite” Pittsburgh Penguins is because they refuse to back down from the top-seeded Pens. Okposo embodies that stubborn, can-do spirit and has become one of the most dangerous players on the ice for New York. He is a big physical, in-your-face type of forward who hits, and shoots, then hits some more. If the Isles can get past Pittsburgh, Okposo will be a huge reason.