The “who’s who” currently around the NHL reads like a casting call for a Richard Linklater movie. The film auteur behind such classics as 1993’s Dazed and Confused is known for his exploration into youthful culture featuring teenagers and twenty-somethings. Linklater would have a field day chronicling the numerous under-25 stars around the league.

Upon the NHL’s return from its one year lockout, the new rule changes meant to open up the game and became the front-and-center story for a league needing a jolt of energy. Three years later, it has become apparent that the rule changes have worked. However, the real story following the lockout was the manner in which talented draftees have ascended to the top of the league.

Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin, the league's brightest stars, began the new youth brigade immediately following the lockout. Crosby entered the league with the “The Next One” moniker and he amazingly didn’t disappoint. With more open ice following the rule changes, “Sid the Kid” amassed 39 goals and 102 points as an 18-year-old. But it was the 19-year-old Ovechkin who came away with the Calder Trophy that year on the strength of 52 goals and 106 points. The NHL discovered an instant rivalry between the two stars, though both players were saddled with poor teams.

Crosby then upped the ante last season. He became the youngest player in league history to win the Art Ross Trophy with 120 points. Perhaps even more impressive, he became the second youngest player to win the Hart Trophy as he led his team to the playoffs with a 47-point turnaround in the standings. Ovechkin seems to be following Crosby’s lead this year. The left winger scored a league-high 65 goals and 112 points to take the Art Ross Trophy; he led his Capitals to a 28-point turnaround and Southeast Division title; and he looks to be the favorite for this year’s Hart Trophy.

Despite their considerable talents, neither player is the only young talent on their respective rosters. Directly behind Ovechkin in the league points race is Crosby’s teammate, Evgeni Malkin. The second year Russian followed up his 85-point Calder Trophy season with 106 points this year. And while Crosby missed 29 games due to a high ankle sprain, the 21-year-old carried the Penguins with 20 goals and 26 assists. “Geno” – as Malkin is called by teammates – has joined Ovechkin as a finalist for the Hart Trophy this season. Behind the duo of Crosby and Malkin is Jordan Staal, also a Calder Trophy finalist last year. The do-everything center contributes in all facets of the game and is on the ice at key moments, despite being just 19-years-old.

Ovechkin found a complementary center this year in the form of rookie Nicklas Backstrom. The 20-year-old Swede led all rookies with 55 assists and his 69 points put him second overall in the rookie scoring race. For his efforts, Backstrom is a Calder Trophy finalist this season. Help also came from the blue line from third year defenseman, Mike Green. The 22-year-old used his considerable speed and shot to lead all blueliners with 18 goals this year.

Pittsburgh and Washington are perhaps the most glaring examples of the talented youth in the league, but young players are making significant contributions to nearly every roster. For every household veteran name, there seems to be an under-25 star waiting to take his place. Chris Pronger, meet Calgary’s recently turned 23-year-old Dion Phaneuf, a Norris Trophy finalist this season; veteran American defenseman Chris Chelios, meet St. Louis’s 20-year-old American defenseman Erik Johnson; Joe Sakic, meet Chicago’s recently turned 20-year-old Calder Trophy finalist and rookie goal scoring leader Jonathan Toews. The comparisons go on and on.

Perhaps the best indication of the new youth brigade is the Eastern Conference finals beginning on Friday night. Crosby, Malkin, Staal, and company lead the Penguins against the cross-state rival Flyers. Philadelphia has received major contributions from young centers Mike Richards and Jeff Carter and defenseman Braydon Coburn – all of whom are just 23 years of age.

The ultimate test of how far youth can carry a team will be the match-up between the Pittsburgh-Philadelphia winner and the veteran-laden Western Conference representative in the Stanley Cup finals. Both Dallas and Detroit have young contributors, but by and large, rely more on older veterans than talented youngsters still establishing themselves.

The hockey world anxiously awaits the Hollywood-style ending with the upstart youngsters against the grisly, old veterans who have been there before. All that remains is to see which two teams will be left standing for “the big game” finale. We’ll find out, beginning with Game One of the Western Conference finals on Thursday night.