NHL Playoffs 2012: Henrik Lundqvist and Top Goalies Headed into Postseason

The Stanley Cup Playoffs often come down to exceptional play in net. Last season, the Boston Bruins would not have won the cup without the performance from Tim Thomas.

Thomas took home Stanley Cup Finals' MVP for his outstanding play. Here is a short list of netminders that have the opportunity to have a similar impact.

Brian Elliott - St. Louis Blues

The Blues are fortunate to have two awesome goalies at their disposal with Brian Elliott and Jaroslav Halak. Elliott is the one that is more likely to stand on his head in goal.

Elliott has been nasty in net all season. He leads the NHL in goals-against average by a good margin with 1.56. He has nine shutouts, which is second in the NHL in only 38 games played.

Elliott struggled in his last two games, but that isn't enough to throw away his entire body of work this year.

Cory Schneider - Vancouver Canucks

Schneider may have the best shot of any goalie at shining through the postseason. He has the NHL's best team in front of him, but few goalies have been better all year.

He has allowed less than two goals per game and he also has the second-highest save percentage in the NHL.

At 26, Schneider is poised to guide the Canucks to that elusive Stanley Cup.

Henrik Lundqvist - New York Rangers

The veteran has had some issues in the past week, but when he's been right this year, he has been formidable. He has been unbeatable eight times this year and only two goalies have more wins this year than Lundqvist's 39 victories.

His 93 percent save percentage is the third-highest in the NHL and he will be key to the Rangers' chances.

Jonathan Quick - Los Angeles Kings

Quick has been solid all year. He leads the league with 10 shutouts and has saved 93 percent of the shots he's faced.

The Kings will need him to be in top form to have a shot at knocking off Schneider and the Canucks in the first round.

This could be the premier goalie matchup in the postseason.