2012 NHL playoffs
The best of the NHL take to the ice to determine who will eventually win the Stanley Cup championship. See photos of this year's NHL playoff action.
Nashville Predators leftwing Gabriel Bourque (bottom) celebrates his goal against Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard (R) and leftwing Justin Abdelkader during the third period of Game 4 of their NHL Western Conference quarter-final hockey playoff game in Detroit April 17. The Kings took the best of seven game series 4-1.
Nashville Predators leftwing Gabriel Bourque (bottom) celebrates his goal against Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard (R) and leftwing Justin Abdelkader during the third period of Game 4 of their NHL Western Conference quarter-final hockey playoff game in Detroit April 17. The Kings took the best of seven game series 4-1.
St. Louis Blues' right wing Chris Stewart (R) fights with San Jose Sharks' right wing Tommy Wingels (57) in the 2nd period during their NHL Western Conference quarter-final playoff hockey game in St. Louis April 21. The Blues won the best of seven series 4-1.
Phoenix Coyotes center Gilbert Brule (8) scores on Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) in the second period during Game 5 of the NHL Western Conference quarter-final hockey playoffs in Glendale, Ariz., April 21. The Coyotes won the best of seven series 4-2.
Los Angeles Kings center Jarret Stoll (28) celebrates his game winning overtime goal on Vancouver Canucks goalie Cory Schneider (35) to win Game 5 of their NHL Western Conference quarter-final hockey playoff game in Vancouver, British Columbia, April 22. The Kings took the best of seven game series 4-1.
Pittsburgh Penguins' Pascal Dupuis (R) checks Philadelphia Flyers' Claude Giroux during the first period in Game 6 of their NHL Eastern Conference quarterfinal playoff hockey series in Philadelphia April 22. The Flyers took the best of seven series 4-2.
Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby pushes Boston Bruins' Rich Peverley during the third period in Game 7 of the NHL Eastern Conference quarter-final hockey playoff series in Boston, Massachusetts April 25. The Capitals edged out the Bruins 4-3 in the seven game series.
New York Rangers Artem Anisimov (R) is tripped up by Ottawa Senators' Chris Phillips during the second period in Game 7 of their NHL Eastern Conference quarter-final playoff hockey game in New York April 26. The Rangers won the seven game series over the Capitals 4-3.
Florida Panthers right wing Scottie Upshall (19) is hit along the boards by New Jersey Devils defenseman Andy Greene (6) in the third period during Game 7 of their NHL Eastern Conference quarter-final playoff hockey game in Sunrise, Fla., April 26. The Devils came out on top in the seven game series 4-3.
Phoenix Coyotes right wing Shane Doan (19) loses his helmet as he hits Nashville Predators defenseman Hal Gill (75) to the ice in the third period during Game 4 of their NHL Western Conference semi-final hockey playoffs in Nashville, Tenn., May 4. The Coyotes advanced after winning the seven game series 4-1.
Los Angeles Kings' Anze Kopitar (C) puts pressure on St Louis Blues goaltender Brian Elliot (L) as the Blues' Kris Russell defends during the third period of Game 4 of their NHL Western Conference semi-final playoff hockey game in Los Angeles May 6. The Kings blanked the Blues in the seven game series 4-0.
New Jersey Devils' Dainius Zubrus (L) celebrates after scoring against the Philadelphia Flyers goalie Ilya Bryzgalov as Braydon Coburn watches during the second period in Game 4 of their NHL Eastern Conference semi-final playoff hockey game in Newark, N.J., May 6. The Devils won the best of seven series 4-1.
New York Rangers' Marc Staal (18), crashes into the boards with Washington Capitals' Matt Hendricks during thrid period in game six of their NHL Eastern Conference hockey semi-final game in Washington May 9. The Rangers took the seven game series 4-3.
New Jersey Devils defenseman Bryce Salvador, right, celebrates his second period goal against the Los Angeles Kings with teammate Anton Volchenkov, left, in Game 5 of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey final in Newark, N.J., June 9, 2012. The Devils beat the Kings 2-1 to force Game 6.
Los Angeles Kings' Trevor Lewis (22) celebrates his goal with teammate Dwight King as New Jersey Devils' Andy Greene (6) and Mark Fayne look on, during the first period in Game 6 of the 2012 Stanley Cup final.
Los Angeles Kings' Jeff Carter, center, celebrates his goal with teammate Anze Kopitar, Willie Mitchell and Slava Voynov against the New Jersey Devils during the second period in Game 6 of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey final.
