2012 NHL Playoffs: Conference semifinals
Washington vs. New York : Game 7 - Rangers edge Caps in Game 7
New York Rangers fans celebrate after Game 7 of a second-round NHL Stanley Cup playoffs between the New York Rangers and the Washington Capitals Saturday, May 12, 2012, in New York. The Rangers won the game 2-1.Washington vs. New York : Game 7 - Rangers edge Caps in Game 7
New York Rangers center Brad Richards (19) celebrates Michael del Zotto's third-period goal as Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) and left wing Alexander Semin (28) react in Game 7 of a second-round NHL Stanley Cup playoffs at Madison Square Garden in New York, Saturday, May 12, 2012. The Rangers won 2-1.Washington vs. New York : Game 6
Washington Capitals left wing Jason Chimera, right, celebrates a goal against the New York Rangers with teammates defenseman Karl Alzner, center, and left wing Alexander Semin (28) in the second period of Game 6 of a second-round NHL Stanley Cup playoffs in Washington, May 9, 2012. The Capitals defeated the Rangers 2-1.Washington vs. New York : Game 6
Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) stops a shot against the New York Rangers in the second period of Game 6 of a second-round NHL Stanley Cup playoffs in Washington, May 9, 2012. Holtby made 30 saves, and the Capitals beat the top-seeded Rangers 2-1 to force a Game 7 in the Eastern Conference semifinal series.New Jersey vs. Philadelphia : Game 5 - Devils finish off Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers' Claude Giroux, right, consoles Kimmo Timonen after the Flyers lost Game 5 of a second-round NHL Stanley Cup playoffs against the New Jersey Devils, May 8, 2012, in Philadelphia. New Jersey won 3-1 and took the series 4-1.New Jersey vs. Philadelphia : Game 5 - Devils finish off Flyers
New Jersey Devils' Bryce Salvador celebrates after scoring a goal against Philadelphia Flyers goalie Ilya Bryzgalov in the first period of Game 5 of a second-round NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, May 8, 2012, in Philadelphia. Salvador, David Clarkson and Ilya Kovalchuk scored goals to lift New Jersey to a 3-1 win over the Flyers in Game 5, sending the Devils into the conference championship round for the first time since 2003.Washington vs. New York : Game 5
Marc Staal (18) of the New York Rangers celebrates with teammate Anton Stralman (32) after scoring the winning a goal in overtime against Braden Holtby (70) of the Washington Capitals in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 7, 2012 in New York. The defeated the Capitals 3-2.Washington vs. New York : Game 5
Brad Richards (19) of the New York Rangers celebrates after scoring a goal to tie up the game late in the third period against Braden Holtby (70) of the Washington Capitals in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 7, 2012 in New York.Nashville vs. Phoenix : Game 5 - Coyotes advance
Phoenix Coyotes' Mike Smith (41) makes a save on a shot that bounced off the left post as Nashville Predators' Alexander Radulov (47) tries to get control of the puck in the second period during Game 5 in an NHL Stanley Cup Western Conference semifinal playoff series, May 7, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. The Coyotes defeated the Predators 2-1, and advanced to the Western Conference finals.Nashville vs. Phoenix : Game 5 - Coyotes advance
Phoenix Coyotes' Derek Morris (53) sends a shot past Nashville Predators' Gabriel Bourque (57) for a goal against Predators goalie Pekka Rinne, of Finland, during the second period in Game 5 of an NHL Stanley Cup Western Conference semifinal playoffs, May 7, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. The Coyotes beat the Predators 2-1 to earn their first trip to the conference finals in 33 years as an NHL franchise.Los Angeles vs. St. Louis : Game 4 - Kings sweep Blues
Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick celebrates after the Kings scored an empty-net goal against the St. Louis Blues during the third period in Game 4 of an NHL Stanley Cup second-round playoffs, May 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. The Kings won 3-1 to win the series 4-0.Los Angeles vs. St. Louis : Game 4 - Kings sweep Blues
Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick stops a shot by St. Louis Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo during the third period in Game 4 of an NHL Stanley Cup second-round playoffs, May 6, 2012, in Los Angeles. The Kings won 3-1 to win the series 4-0.New Jersey vs. Philadelphia : Game 4
New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur, right, makes a save as teammate Alexei Ponikarovsky, left, collides with Philadelphia Flyers' James van Riemsdyk during the first period of Game 4 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs, May 6, 2012, in Newark, N.J. Brodeur celebrated his 40th birthday as the Devils overcame a two-goal deficit and pushed the Flyers to the brink of elimination with a 4-2 victory.New Jersey vs. Philadelphia : Game 4
Philadelphia Flyers goalie Ilya Bryzgalov, lays on his back after making a save as a group of players are pulled apart by officials during Game 4 of a second-round NHL Stanley Cup playoffs against the New Jersey Devils, May 6, 2012 in Newark, N.J. The Devils won 4-2 and take a 3-1 lead in the series.Washington vs. New York : Game 4
Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green, center, celebrates his goal with teammates Alex Ovechkin (8) and Dennis Wideman (6) during the third period of Game 4 of an NHL Stanley Cup second-round playoffs against the New York Rangers, May 5, 2012, in Washington. The Capitals won 3-2 to even the best-of-seven games series 2-2.Washington vs. New York : Game 4
Washington Capitals center Brooks Laich (21) and New York Rangers left wing Carl Hagelin (62) crash into the net during the second period of Game 4 of an NHL Stanley Cup second-round playoffs, May 5, 2012, in Washington. The Capitals won 3-2 to even the best-of-seven games series 2-2.Nashville vs. Phoenix : Game 4
Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (41) covers up the puck in front of Nashville Predators right wing Patric Hornqvist (27) as he is checked by Coyotes center Martin Hanzal (11) in the first period of Game 4 in an NHL Stanley Cup Western Conference semifinal playoffs, May 4, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn. Smith made 25 saves and the Coyotes beat the Predators 1-0 to grab a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference semifinal series.Nashville vs. Phoenix : Game 4
Nashville Predators right wing Martin Erat, left and Phoenix Coyotes right wing Mikkel Boedker (89) fight in the third period of Game 4 in an NHL Stanley Cup Western Conference semifinal playoffs, May 4, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn. Phoenix won 1-0.Los Angeles vs. St. Louis : Game 3
Drew Doughty (8) of the Los Angeles Kings celebrates his third period goal with teammate Mike Richards (10) against the St. Louis Blues in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center on May 3, 2012 in Los Angeles. Doughty had a goal and two assists, Jonathan Quick made 18 saves and the Kings moved to the brink of an unlikely second-round sweep with a 4-2 victory over the Blues in Game 3.Los Angeles vs. St. Louis : Game 3
Justin Williams (14) of the Los Angeles Kings reacts as teammate Dwight King (74) scores a second period goal past goaltender Brian Elliott (1) of the St. Louis Blues in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center on May 3, 2012 in Los Angeles.New Jersey vs. Philadelphia : Game 3
Alexei Ponikarovsky (12) of the New Jersey Devils celebrates with teammates Martin Brodeur (30) and Adam Henrique (14) after scoring a goal in overtime to defeat the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Prudential Center on May 3, 2012 in Newark, N.J. The Devils won 4-3.New Jersey vs. Philadelphia : Game 3
Ilya Kovalchuk (17) of the New Jersey Devils celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal in first period against Ilya Bryzgalov (30) of the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Prudential Center on May 3, 2012 in Newark, N.J.Washington vs. New York : Game 3
New York Rangers right wing Marian Gaborik (10) celebrates his winning goal against the Washington Capitals with teammates Carl Hagelin (62) and Marc Staal (18) during the third overtime period of Game 3 of an NHL Stanley Cup second-round playoffs, in Washington, early Thursday, May 3, 2012. The Rangers beat the Capitals 2-1.Washington vs. New York : Game 3
Washington Capitals center Brooks Laich (21) gets tripped up in front of New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) and defenseman Anton Stralman (32) during the first period of Game 3 of their NHL Stanley Cup second-round playoffs at the Verizon Center in Washington, May 2, 2012.Nashville vs. Phoenix : Game 3
Phoenix Coyotes right wing Shane Doan (19) checks Nashville Predators right wing Matt Halischuk into the Coyotes' bench during the third period of Game 3 in an NHL Stanley Cup Western Conference semifinal playoffs, May 2, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn. The Predators won 2-0.Nashville vs. Phoenix : Game 3
Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith looks back at the net as Nashville Predators right wing Patric Hornqvist (27) celebrates a goal by teammate David Legwand in the first period of Game 3 in an NHL Stanley Cup Western Conference semifinal playoffs, May 2, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn. The Predators won 2-0.New Jersey vs. Philadelphia : Game 2
New Jersey Devils' Travis Zajac right, looks back as his shot sails past Philadelphia Flyers' Ilya Bryzgalov for a goal during the third period in Game 2 of an NHL Stanley Cup second-round playoff series with the Philadelphia Flyers, May 1, 2012, in Philadelphia. The Devils won 4-1 to even the best of seven series at 1-1.New Jersey vs. Philadelphia : Game 2
New Jersey Devils' Zach Parise, rear left, goes to David Clarkson, laying on the net, who scored what would be the game-winning goal during the third period in Game 2 of an NHL Stanley Cup second-round playoff series with the Philadelphia Flyers, May 1, 2012, in Philadelphia. Moving away from the net are Flyers Max Talbot, front left,and Nick Grossmann.Los Angeles vs. St. Louis : Game 2
Los Angeles Kings' Anze Kopitar, left, is congratulated by Dustin Brown after scoring during the first period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series against the St. Louis Blues, April 30, 2012, in St. Louis. Kopitar scored twice in a four-goal, first-period blitz as the Kings embarrassed the Blues from the opening faceoff, a 5-2 whipping for their fifth straight road win this postseason.2012 NHL playoffs - Opening Rounds
Los Angeles vs. St. Louis : Game 2
Los Angeles Kings' Anze Kopitar, left, scores past St. Louis Blues goalie Brian Elliott, right, and Blues' Andy McDonald (10) during the first period in Game 2 of an NHL second-round playoff series hockey game, April 30, 2012, in St. Louis.2012 NHL playoffs - Opening Rounds
Washington vs. New York : Game 2
Teammates greet Washington Capitals Alex Ovechkin (8) after he scored the winning goal in the third period of Game 2 of the NHL Eastern Conference semifinals at Madison Square Garden in New York, April 30, 2012. The Capitals defeated the Rangers 3-2.2012 NHL playoffs - Opening Rounds
Washington vs. New York : Game 2
Alex Ovechkin (8) of the Washington Capitals celebrates with teammates Marcus Johansson (90) and Nicklas Backstrom (19) after Ovechkin scored a goal to give the Capitals a 3-2 lead in the third period of Game 2 of the NHL Eastern Conference semifinals at Madison Square Garden in New York, April 30, 2012. The Capitals defeated the Rangers 3-2.2012 NHL playoffs - Opening Rounds
Washington vs. New York : Game 2
Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) makes a save as Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner (27) fends off New York Rangers right wing Ryan Callahan (24) in the first period of Game 2 of the NHL Eastern Conference semifinals at Madison Square Garden in New York, April 30, 2012. The Capitals defeated the Rangers 3-2.2012 NHL playoffs - Opening Rounds
New Jersey vs. Philadelphia : Game 1
Philadelphia Flyers center Danny Briere (48) reacts with Kimmo Timonen (44) after Briere scored the winning goal in the overtime period of Game 1 in a second-round NHL Stanley Cup playoffs with the New Jersey Devils, April 29, 2012, in Philadelphia. The Flyers won 4-3 in overtime.2012 NHL playoffs - Opening Rounds
New Jersey vs. Philadelphia : Game 1
Philadelphia Flyers left wing James van Riemsdyk, right, skates away after scoring a goal as New Jersey Devils defenseman Andy Greene, left, reacts in the second period of Game 1 in a second-round NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, April 29, 2012, in Philadelphia. The Flyers won 4-3 in overtime.2012 NHL playoffs - Opening Rounds
Nashville vs. Phoenix : Game 2
Phoenix Coyotes' Antoine Vermette (50) celebrates his goal as Nashville Predators' Mike Fisher (12) and Coyotes' Shane Doan (19) collide with Predators goalie Pekka Rinne in the first period during Game 2 in an NHL Stanley Cup Western Conference semifinal playoffs, April 29, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. The Coyotes defeated the Predators 5-3.2012 NHL playoffs - Opening Rounds
Nashville vs. Phoenix : Game 2
Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith, right, celebrates their 5-3 win over the Nashville Predators with Keith Yandle (3) after Game 2 in an NHL Stanley Cup Western Conference semifinal playoffs, April 29, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. The Coyotes won 5-3.2012 NHL playoffs - Opening Rounds
Los Angeles vs. St. Louis : Game 1
Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick shoves St. Louis Blues left wing David Perron against the goal after Perron collided with him in the first period of Game 1 in a second-round NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, April 28, 2012, in St. Louis. The Kings won 3-1.2012 NHL playoffs - Opening Rounds
Los Angeles vs. St. Louis : Game 1
Los Angeles Kings' Matt Greene (2) celebrates after scoring past St. Louis Blues goalie Brian Elliott, left, as David Backes (42) and Kings' Anze Kopitar watch during the second period of Game 1 in a second-round NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, April 28, 2012, in St. Louis. The Kings beat the St. Louis Blues 3-1.2012 NHL playoffs - Opening Rounds
Washington vs. New York : Game 1
New York Rangers' Ryan McDonagh (27) and teammate Chris Kreider (20) celebrate a goal by teammate Brad Richards (19) as Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby reacts during the third period of Game 1 in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, April 28, 2012, in New York. The Rangers won the game 3-1.2012 NHL playoffs - Opening Rounds
Washington vs. New York : Game 1
New York Rangers' Marc Staal (18) gets control of the puck as teammate Ryan Callahan (24) checks Washington Capitals' Matt Hendricks (26) during the first period of Game 1 in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, April 28, 2012, in New York. The Rangers won the game 3-1.2012 NHL playoffs - Opening Rounds
Nashville vs. Phoenix : Game 1
Phoenix Coyotes' Ray Whitney celebrates his game-winning goal against the Nashville Predators with Radim Vrbata (17) and Martin Hanzal (11) during overtime of Game 1 in an NHL Stanley Cup Western Conference semifinals, April 27, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. The Coyotes won 4-3.2012 NHL playoffs - Opening Rounds
Nashville vs. Phoenix : Game 1
Phoenix Coyotes' Rostislav Klesla celebrates his goal with Daymond Langkow (22) as Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne, far right, Roman Josi (59), Paul Gaustad (28) and Kevin Klein (8) look for the puck during the second period of Game 1 in an NHL Stanley Cup Western Conference semifinals, April 27, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz.2012 NHL playoffs - Opening Rounds