The New York Rangers, after a strong regular season and a good start in the playoffs, have identified three key players who need to elevate their performance for the team to make a successful Stanley Cup run.

• Jacob Trouba struggled after returning from a lower-body injury, being moved to a less critical role at the end of the regular season.
• K’Andre Miller saw a decline in his play when paired with Trouba but performed well with Braden Schneider during Trouba's absence.
• Mika Zibanejad, coming off a disappointing regular season, needs to step up in the playoffs, particularly in goal-scoring.

While the identified players have underperformed, there's always a chance for them to rise to the occasion in the playoffs and contribute significantly to the team's success.

• Jacob Trouba has been moved to a less demanding role in the defensive pairing, which may impact his performance positively.
• K’Andre Miller has shown improvement when paired with Braden Schneider during the playoffs.

As the playoffs progress, it remains to be seen if Trouba, Miller, and Zibanejad can step up to meet the team's needs and contribute significantly to the Rangers' success in the quest for the Stanley Cup.

For the New York Rangers to make a serious playoff push and contend for the Stanley Cup, Trouba, Miller, and Zibanejad must elevate their game and fulfill their pivotal roles to complement the team's top talent effectively.