College Hockey Daily Links: Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview Edition

The college hockey season is over with Union's crowning at this past weekend's Frozen Four, but the NHL Playoffs are just getting started, which means plenty of opportunities for NCAA alums to shine on the sport's ultimate stage.

College hockey has grown tremendously over the past decade or so, perhaps nothing to prove that more than the three straight NCAA alums winning the Conn Smythe Trophy from 2010 to 2012.

Boston College led the way with 26 former players dressing in a NHL game this season, but one of the feel good stories of the season was the emergence of Maine alum Gustav Nyquist for the Detroit Red Wings.

Let's take a stroll through the NHL Playoffs and check in on some college hockey alums.

The Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning kick off their playoff series on Wednesday night. The Lightning will be without starting goaltender Ben Bishop, a Maine alum.

Another Maine alum who will be playing in Wednesday's Game 1 is Teddy Purcell, who has been in a little bit of a scoring slump lately. He's hoping the playoffs revive his game, writes Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Bay Times.

The Dallas-Anaheim series starts tonight at 10 ET on NBC Sports Network, and Boston University alum Nick Bonino will be a key figure for the Ducks. He's scored two highlight reel goals lately, and Puck Daddy's Jen Neale sat down to talk with him about his experience in college hockey, among other things.

Mike Johnston of Rogers SportsNet says Miami alum Reilly Smith, former Minnesota blue liner Paul Martin and recent Western Michigan star Danny DeKeyser will be three players who will elevate their game this postseason.

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Jeff Cox covers college, junior and high school hockey, NCAA recruiting and NHL Draft prospects. Follow him on twitter @JeffCoxSBNation.