This week marked the beginning of the chase to the Stanley Cup. Naturally, players of teams that clinched a playoff spot have been sharing their excitement for the post-season with their fans on Twitter. Here are the top player tweets of the week.

First, the players get into the post-season spirit

I've said it before, in order to make anything a reality, u have to dream about it first. I've done that..Now lets go and play! #NYRBelieve

— Henrik Lundqvist (@HLundqvist30) May 1, 2013

Last shave before playoffs, can't wait to get started! #besttimeoftheyear

— Kyle Turris (@kyleturris) April 29, 2013

Playoffs already start in DC!!!love it!!!lets goooo twitter.com/ovi8/status/32…

— Alex Ovechkin (@ovi8) April 28, 2013

The fans definitely help get the players geared up

Wow the Bell Center is just rocking. Can't think of a louder building I've played in for the Playoffs. #BecauseItsTheCup

— Scottie Upshall (@ScottieUpshall) May 2, 2013

Got tix to gm 4 for whoever can make me the best playoff avatar. Send your pic w/ #RichiesRewards. Winning pic will go up live tonight Go NY

— Brad Richards (@BRichards_1991) May 1, 2013

HC was rocking last night, thanks to all the fans who came out! Can't wait to see that same atmosphere Thursday night! #Ducksnation

— Nick Bonino (@NickBonino) May 1, 2013

Cant wait to get the playoffs started tomorrow night at the Honda Center and skate out to the sea of orange towels #BecauseItsTheCup

— Kyle Palmieri (@kylepalmieri) April 30, 2013

As the playoffs begin, Craig Anderson and Erik Condra remind us that players do the unthinkable to bring home the Cup

Sometimes I stop pucks with my face. . . Because its the playoffs. Can i get some #NHL14Anderson love #sensarmy? img.ly/uwnd

— Craig Anderson (@CraigAnderson41) May 3, 2013

Finished the 3 rd with my skate like this and didn't even know. Not sure if that's a good thing or bad? #peskysens twitter.com/ECondra/status…

— Erik Condra (@ECondra) May 3, 2013

But it’s a team effort and the guys always give credit where it’s due. A few of them took to Twitter to celebrate their teammates’ performances

Andy went into #beastmode tonight. Resilient win by the guys. Move on to tomorrow now. #sens

— Marc Methot (@MarcMethot3) May 3, 2013

What a game by the boys!! Andy was a beast tonight!! #PeskySens

— Robin Lehner(@RobinLehner) May 3, 2013

Wouldn't had been a game without @jonathanquick32 He put on a clinic tonight. #stanleycup #yougetnothingforone #takes4 #ontogame2

— Willie Mitchell (@Willie_Mitch33) May 1, 2013

As always, join in on the conversation! Follow along and share your tweets using the #StanleyCup and #BecauseItsTheCup hashtags.