The chase for the Stanley Cup begins tomorrow, and with it comes one of the most thrilling stretches on the sports calendar. For players, it’s a clean slate. For fans, it’s pure adrenaline. And for collectors? It's an opportunity.

The question now is: who’s going to rise? Will it be the established stars doing what they do best, or will an unexpected name steal the spotlight and the headlines?

For collectors, the Stanley Cup playoffs brings excitement as playoff performances often significantly impact the value of collectibles and sports cards. Great play can boost the demand and price of player sports cards.

We’ve broken down the top players, and some under-the-radar names worth watching, along with the key cards that could see a major boost if the Cup run gets hot.

Eastern Conference

Top Pick - Auston Matthews

Fresh off being named the NHL's most stylish player, Auston Matthews is also primed to make an impact this postseason. While he hasn't quite reached his career-best numbers during the regular season, Matthews has been heating up at just the right time, tallying 13 points in his last 10 games. The Maple Leafs look prepared for a serious playoff run, especially with Matthews hitting the impressive milestone of scoring his 400th career goal faster than Alexander Ovechkin.

The sports card market has already taken notice, with two of Matthew’s sought out cards - the Cup #180 Rookie Patch Auto (/99) and the SP Authentic Auto Rookie (/999) - fetching prices of $8,400 and $4,300 this month. For those considering a more accessible option for his rookie - Matthews' base raw rookie Young Guns cards have been selling for between $215 and $340 over the past month.

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Sleeper Pick - Brady Tkachuck 

Brady Tkachuk was a force during the NHL 4 Nations tournament this season, especially in the heated Canada vs. US matchup, where his fight with Sam Bennett energized the crowd. Brady and the Ottawa Senators are now making their playoff debut after an eight-year absence. While expectations aren't high for a deep run, Tkachuk’s combination of skill, grit, and leadership could help lead the Senators to a series win against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Collectors are already taking note of his buzz this season, with his PSA 10 rookie Young Guns card increasing by 30% over the past month. His raw rookie cards range between $25 and $50, making it an appealing buy for fans trying to get in.

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Western Conference

Top Pick - Leon Draisaitl

Fresh off winning the Rocket Richard with a league-leading 52 goals, Leon Draisaitl has arguably been the NHL’s most dominant player this season and currently holds the second-highest odds of capturing the Hart Trophy. Draisaitl is known for stepping up during key moments—during last postseason’s Stanley Cup run, he tallied an impressive 31 points in just 25 games. With the Edmonton Oilers planning another deep playoff run, Draisaitl will likely need to maintain that level of play.

Collectors might find this a great moment to invest in Draisaitl's cards. His sought-after Young Guns rookie card has recently seen a significant dip in price, trading between $175 and $275 over the past two weeks, a 35% decrease in the past 30 days, likely influenced by his recent injury. For collectors interested in higher-quality cards, his SP Authentic Rookie Auto is a strong choice, with the most recent raw card sale fetching $645, a solid autograph value for a player of Draisaitl's elite caliber.

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Sleeper Pick - Kirill Kaprizov

The Minnesota Wild enter the playoffs as underdogs, but they do so with a potent game-changer in Kirill Kaprizov. Kaprizov was having an MVP caliber season, before injuries slowed him down in the latter half. Now fully healthy and back in the lineup for Game 1, his play could lead the Wild to an upset victory against the dominant Vegas Golden Knights.

Collectors have taken notice of Kaprizov's return, placing him among the top 10 trending hockey players on Sports Card Investor this week. His popular Young Guns rookie card, currently available raw for between $25 and $50, offers an affordable option for collectors.

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