With the NHL preparing for a 24-team playoff, theScore will be counting down the top 50 players who will be taking part in this unique event, as voted on by our hockey editors. We'll reveal 10 players every day until the top 10 is unveiled on June 10.

50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1

40. Kris Letang, Penguins

At 33 years old, Letang continued quietly trucking along as one of the league's best defensemen this past season. His 25:44 average time on ice ranked fourth among blue-liners, and his .72 points per game ranked 11th. With three Stanley Cup titles and a plethora of playoff experience under his belt, the Penguins will look for Letang to help steer them deep into the playoffs.

39. Connor Hellebuyck, Jets

Hellebuyck was unquestionably Winnipeg's MVP this season. He posted dazzling numbers worthy of Vezina Trophy consideration for a team that struggled mightily defensively. The Jets gave up the seventh-most shots against per game in the regular season, yet are viewed by many to be a dark horse as the 9-seed in the Western Conference thanks to their starting goalie.

38. Blake Wheeler, Jets

The Jets captain continues to be a model of consistency for his club. Wheeler has contributed at least 20 goals and 60 points over the previous seven seasons, missing only 15 games during that span. Despite losing several key defensemen last offseason, the Jets look to secure a playoff spot for the third consecutive campaign in large part to Wheeler's impact as a leader both on and off the ice.

37. Quinn Hughes, Canucks

Hughes is just the third defenseman in the last 80 years to lead all rookies in points, joining Brian Leetch and Bobby Orr. The 20-year-old is one of the most exciting players in the game, and it's a shame we didn't get to see him and Cale Makar duel it out for the Calder Trophy over a full season. He's one of the future faces of the league.

36. Carey Price, Canadiens

Numbers aside, Price remains one of the premier goaltenders in the NHL. The Canadiens certainly aren't the most deserving postseason club, but they'd be a lottery team in the expanded playoff format without their No. 1 netminder. Price is starting to decline at age 32, but he's still capable of carrying the team and singlehandedly stealing a game every so often.

35. Mikko Rantanen, Avalanche

Rantanen was forced to miss nearly 30 games due to injury this season, but when he was on the ice for the Avalanche, he was a difference-maker. He managed 19 goals and 41 points in 42 games, and is a catalyst for one of the league's most menacing lines. If Colorado wants to prove it's one of the top contenders this summer, Rantanen will need to be at the top of his game.

34. Tuukka Rask, Bruins

Rask is often lost in the gigantic shadow cast by the Bruins' strong defensive structure and big-name forwards, but there's no questioning the Presidents' Trophy-winning club wouldn't be the team it is without its backbone. Rask led the NHL in goals saved above average this season, and owns a remarkable .927 save percentage across 89 career playoff starts. If Boston goes on another deep run, he'll be a big reason why.

33. Mika Zibanejad, Rangers

The Rangers' top pivot has developed into one of the most electrifying talents in the world. Zibanejad ranks eighth among all players in goals per game (0.51) over the past two campaigns and was playing at a 91-point pace over an 82-game season in 2019-20. The superstar Swede put his scoring on full display during a 6-5 win over Washington in March, becoming the first Rangers player since 1983 to score five goals in a game.

32. Mark Scheifele, Jets

Scheifele becomes the fourth - and highest-ranked - Jet to land in our top 50. It's deserving, too. He tied for the team lead in points this season and was a point per game or better for the fourth straight campaign. The 27-year-old is one of the most well-rounded centers in the game. He doesn't have one standout trait that "wows" fans, but he's incredibly intelligent and always seems to make the right play at the right time.

31. Sean Couturier, Flyers

Couturier might be the most underrated player in the NHL - and arguably has been for a long time. The 27-year-old has evolved into one of the league's best two-way centers, regularly shutting down opposing stars in addition to providing ample contributions on the offensive end. Given this versatility, he deserves to be recognized as a star in his own right.

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Detroit Red Wings veteran netminder Jimmy Howard hopes he can move past the worst season of his professional career.

"I want to keep playing," Howard said Friday, according to The Detroit News' Ted Kulfan. "This year left such a bitter taste in my mouth. I want to go out there and show people I can still play in this league - I know I'm capable."

The 36-year-old ended the season with a 2-23-2 record - including 20 straight losses - to go along with a career-low 4.20 goals-against average and .882 save percentage.

Howard, who's set to hit free agency this offseason, doesn't believe his poor statistics are a reflection of his ability as a goaltender.

"I personally don't believe I represent those number (statistics), but I was a big part of the program (losing)," Howard said. "I got in my own way a lot instead of letting the play to come. I was overthinking things. I was in my head and tinkering with stuff instead of just saying, 'You can do this,' and have the confidence to go out and do it."

He added: "When things got spiraling out of control, I felt like I was in quicksand, and when I tried to get out of it the more I sank."

With teammate Jonathan Bernier signed for the 2020-21 season, Howard understands his time in Detroit may come to an end, though he still hopes to end his career with the club that drafted him in 2003.

"I love this state, this city, and this city is home to us now. I would want to finish my career a Red Wing," Howard said. "But at the same time, I've been around this game long enough to realize there comes a time when you have to separate ties. If that's the way it'll have to go, I've mentally prepared for that. My wife and I have talked about it a little bit, and if that's going to be the case, it'll have to be the case."

Howard has spent his entire 14-year career with Detroit. He's compiled a 246-196-70 record with a 2.62 goals-against average and .912 save percentage.

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After participating in a peaceful protest in Boston on Friday, Bruins captain Zdeno Chara shared some of his thoughts on the growing fight against racism and inequality in America.

"For the last 13 days I have been sick about George Floyd's murder. I have taken time to think and listen," Chara's statement on Saturday read. "Time to find bravery and time to try to find the right words, though I'll admit I'm still struggling.

"First thing is first and let me be clear: I stand with the black community. Black lives matter. There is no room in this world for racism, period."

The 43-year-old Slovakian acknowledged that as a foreigner in America, he's dealt with his share of adversity over the years. But Chara's challenges were "not made harder, or impossible" because of his skin color.

"I will never know what it's like to walk down a street and feel unsafe," his statement continued. "No one should have to experience that feeling. We have to take better care of each other and. Equality must be a priority. Anything less is unacceptable."

Chara made it clear he'll continue to educate himself and others going forward.

"I learned a lot yesterday and had good, honest conversations," he added. "Not only did we take steps in a walk but we made strides in learning and educating together. But it doesn't stop there.

"I will continue to stand - and walk - with you. I have your back."

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St. Louis Blues forward Ryan O'Reilly says winning the Stanley Cup last spring allowed him to rediscover his passion for the sport.

"I think it's completely revamped my entire hockey career," O'Reilly said on the "Hockey Sense Podcast" with Andy Strickland.

"In the NHL, never really getting a good taste of winning and never winning a playoff series and then coming here (St. Louis) and you win the ultimate hockey goal. It completely changed that part of me to be now known as a winner."

The 29-year-old pivot spent three seasons with the Buffalo Sabres prior to joining the Blues, and admitted to losing his love for the game in 2017-18 after Buffalo finished near the bottom of the standings for a third straight season. He was traded to the Blues that summer and has seen his career take off ever since.

O'Reilly potted a career-best 28 goals and 77 points in 2018-19, earning both the Selke Trophy and Lady Byng Memorial Trophy. In the playoffs, O'Reilly led the Blues with 23 points in 26 contests and claimed the Conn Smythe Trophy as postseason MVP.

After pacing the team in scoring with 61 points through 71 games this season, O'Reilly's success has left him hungry for more.

"It's been amazing but also getting a taste of it, you want to do it again and when you look at our team, we're going to have another opportunity to do that so there's a lot of excitement there."

St. Louis owned the top spot in the Central Division when the season was suspended in March, and will compete against the Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, and Dallas Stars in a round-robin tournament to establish the top four Western Conference seeds for the playoffs.

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With the NHL preparing for a 24-team playoff, theScore will be counting down the top 50 players who will be taking part in this unique event. We'll reveal 10 players every day until the top 10 is unveiled on June 6.

50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1

50. Johnny Gaudreau, Flames

Gaudreau wasn't nearly as efficient this season as he was in years past. After a slow start to the campaign, though, the dynamic winger caught fire in the second half. He potted eight goals and added 19 assists in 28 games after Jan. 1. Even during an inconsistent season, the 26-year-old still possesses the raw talent to dominate his opponents in elimination play.

49. Matthew Tkachuk, Flames

Few players offer Tkachuk's unique blend of scoring touch, physicality, and two-way play. The 22-year-old winger is blossoming into the face of the Calgary Flames, and it would be hard to design a player better equipped to endure the grind of playoff hockey.

48. Dougie Hamilton, Hurricanes

Hamilton was playing the best hockey of his career before he suffered a broken fibula in January, and he'll be hungry for the chance to return to form. The 6-foot-6 defenseman is a gifted skater for his size, which is one of the main reasons he's able to dominate the possession game. Hamilton ranked in the top 10 in both Corsi For and expected goals this season, and he was 17th in high-danger scoring chances (minimum 600 minutes played).

47. Kyle Connor, Jets

You have to watch Connor on more than one occasion to fully appreciate him. He doesn't have the blazing speed or rocket shot that other elite goal-scorers possess, but he knows how to put the puck in the net. It seems he buries every chance he gets down low. Connor is a highly intelligent, hard-working player with very soft hands around the net.

46. Claude Giroux, Flyers

Giroux cooled off a bit this campaign after posting more than a point per game in 2018-19 and a career-high 102 points the season prior. However, he's still among the game's most dependable centers at age 32, and he's one of the biggest reasons the Philadelphia Flyers played so well before the break.

45. Shea Weber, Canadiens

When Weber is healthy, he's still one of the most dominant defensemen in the league. With months to rest some nagging injuries, a recuperated Weber will be extremely valuable for the Montreal Canadiens. His ability to log significant minutes and contribute on both offense and defense will make him a lethal threat in playoff-style hockey.

44. Mathew Barzal, Islanders

An offensive wizard on arguably the NHL's most defensive-minded team, Barzal stands out among his peers. He's one of the best skaters in the league and his vision is off the charts. He's also up for a new contract after this season, so he'll want to prove his worth with a strong playoff showing.

43. Seth Jones, Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets are a completely different team when Jones is in the lineup. Columbus won just three of 14 outings and allowed 3.57 goals per game after the 6-foot-4 rearguard injured his ankle in early February. Jones, an agile skater with a strong hockey acumen, ranked seventh in average ice time this season while often paired against opponents' top talents.

42. Ben Bishop, Stars

Bishop is arguably the best goalie in the NHL when healthy and on his game, though he wasn't even the best goalie on his own team this season, as Anton Khudobin led the league with a .930 save percentage. However, it'll almost certainly be the three-time Vezina finalist getting the call in the postseason.

41. Cale Makar, Avalanche

If not for a certain Vancouver Canucks blue-liner, Makar would be the clear Calder Trophy favorite. Nevertheless, he has a strong case in his own right and is already one of the NHL's best defensemen. The 21-year-old ranked second in the rookie points race and led all qualified first-year players in points per game. The Colorado Avalanche phenom has looked more than comfortable in the league since debuting during last year's postseason, and his future looks exceedingly bright.

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