Could Alexander Radulov hold Stars' key to playoff success?

The Stars are one of the oldest teams in the NHL.

That, of course, means they are also one of the most experienced.

Joe Pavelski has 134 games of playoff experience and has tallied 100 points in that span (48 goals, 52 assists). Corey Perry has 118 games in the playoffs and has rolled up 89 points (36 goals, 53 assists). Tyler Seguin made it to two Stanley Cup Finals with the Bruins, winning in 2011.

But maybe the most grizzled of playoff veterans is a guy most fans haven't been able to watch much in the postseason.

Alexander Radulov played 92 playoff games in the KHL and tallied 89 points (24 goals, 65 assists) in that span. He helped his teams win four Continental Cups. What's more, he has been on two gold medal teams in the World Championships and two silver medal teams in the World Juniors.

Radulov, 34, had 10 points (five goals, five assists) in 13 playoff games last year, but the Stars know his experience is much deeper than that.

"He's a very determined player, as you know," Stars interim coach Rick Bowness said. "He gets that puck, there's no way he's going to let you knock him off it. We love his compete, and when you get into the playoffs, that's what it takes to win."

Bowness has been playing Radulov with Pavelski and Mattias Janmark during the training camp heading into Return to Play in Edmonton next month, and he said he likes how they look so far.

"They're reading off each other really well," Bowness said. "They're hanging on to the puck, and they're finding each other. It's why they're making such good plays. There's nice looking chemistry there. They're a tough line to play against because they're possessing the puck a long time out there. It's good to see. That's what we were hoping for out of that line.

"I know it's only these scrimmages, but you've got to be able to see some chemistry in a line in these scrimmages, and we're certainly seeing it in that line."

The Janmark-Pavelski-Radulov line has been really good in almost every workout and particularly good in scrimmages. Pavelski said he believes the finishing touch will be finishing more.

"Rads, when we're good, we're going and we're reading off of each other. We've got good communication. He hunts pucks, and when he gets them he holds them. So when we're excelling, we're feeding off each other," Pavelski, 36, said. "And then when you throw Janny in there, he's a great skater and smart player. It's a line we've had success with at times. So now it's up to us to turn some of those chances into a little more production."

Radulov had 15 goals among 34 points in 60 games during the regular season. He had 29 goals among 72 points the year before. Pavelski had 14 goals among 31 points in 61 games. He had 38 goals among 64 points the year before with San Jose. Janmark had six goals among 21 points, and said he feels the opportunity to expand upon that is increased because of the way the line has improved.

"Rads works really hard on the forecheck, which I like to do as well, so I kind of jump on his back there," Janmark said. "Joey takes responsibility all over the ice, and he's great in front of the net, so I think we feed off each other pretty good."

Radulov said he believes his playoff experience in the KHL is an advantage. He said he got used to going to the post-season pretty much every year. This will be his 13th playoff appearance in the past 15 seasons.

"It's playoffs, obviously," Radulov said. "It just helps you, because I was always making the playoffs there. And when you go farther in the playoffs, you make experience and become a little more mature and you know what to expect."

Oh yeah, and he's also aware that each trip is pretty special the older he gets.

"It's harder too, because you're not getting any younger," Radulov said.

Radulov has been carrying that determination and presence of mind since he returned to Texas, and now the Stars believe they have a guy who can really make an impact when the intensity dials up in Edmonton.

"We're hoping when the playoffs start that we're going to see what we've seen out there," Bowness said. "He's been a very hard worker. He's been a very determined guy in these practices. He came back in great shape."

Photo credit: Jeff Toates / Dallas Stars

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.

Mike Heikais a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika, and listen to his podcast.