Top 3 Sleepers For The Playoffs: Western Conference

As the playoffs are set to begin, we continue our look at some potential under-the-radar players who could step up to provide some big performances for their teams as the real games begin. 

We had a look at top postseason sleepers in the Eastern Conference earlier, now a look out West:

Frédérick Gaudreau, Minnesota Wild

When you're lined up next to one of the hottest players in hockey, good things can happen. Gaudreau's winger, Matt Boldy, finished the season on a scorching hot streak of 15 goals in his last 20 games. And with his other winger, Marcus Johanssen, recording 18 points in those 20 contests, Gaudreau's production (13 points in that span) might fly under the radar. But the opportunity is there for the sixth-year center to have a nice run for the Wild.

Pavel Dorofeyev, Vegas Golden Knights

Playing on the Golden Knights' top line, next to Jack Eichel, the rookie Dorofeyev finds himself in a sweet spot heading into the postseason. After recording nine points in his first 10 games after returning to the lineup in early March, he was elevated to the first line with Eichel and Jonathan Marchessault. If that continues to stick, Dorofeyev could be a sleeper contributor for Vegas. 

Evan Bouchard, Edmonton Oilers

When it comes to the Edmonton Oilers, all eyes, naturally, are on Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. But has anyone noticed that since being paired up with Mattias Ekholm (after the latter's arrival at the trade deadline), Bouchard has notched 19 points in 21 games? Add to that, a spot on the power play next to Connor McDavid, we're looking at a potential big-time sleeper breakout this postseason.

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