NHL Playoffs 2012: Most Important Players in Eastern Conference Matchups

The chase for the Stanley Cup is on, and the Eastern Conference features several squads with a very good chance of taking it home.

The New York Rangers have to be considered heavy favorites after the season they just had, but you obviously can't count out the defending champion Boston Bruins or the red-hot Pittsburgh Penguins. Even the lower seeds in the Eastern Conference bracket have some upside.

Each and every team will need its star players to step up, and odds are that each of the four opening series are going to hinge on the successes or failures of one key player in particular.

Here's a look at the most important player in all four Eastern Conference matchups.

No. 1 New York Rangers vs. No. 8 Ottawa Senators 

Series Begins: Thursday at 7 p.m. ET in New York

Most Important Player: Henrik Lundqvist

There's really no overstating just how good Henrik Lundqvist was in net for the Rangers this season. He finished tied for fourth in the NHL this season with a goals against average of 1.97, and he finished tied for third with eight shutouts.

Make no mistake about it: the Rangers aren't a No. 1 seed without Lundqvist. And to have a chance to compete for the Stanley Cup, they need Lundqvist to be at the very top of his game.

However, there's plenty of hope for the Senators. Lundqvist started three games against Ottawa this season and allowed a grand total of nine goals in those three games.

If Ottawa continues to have Lundqvist's number in this series, the Senators could come away with a huge upset.

No. 2 Boston Bruins vs. No. 7 Washington Capitals

Series Begins: Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET in Boston

Most Important Player: Alex Ovechkin

Is this Bruins team as deep as last year's Cup-winning team?

No. Some key departures led to a noticeable lack in depth, especially on the offensive end. They're still good, but they're not as dangerous as they were a year ago.

But let's face it. For the Caps to pull off the upset, they're going to need Alex Ovechkin to throw his name back into the "best player on earth" conversation. He's still a good player, but the Caps need him to be the brilliant player he used to be.

The Caps need Ovechkin to be brilliant because they're about to go up against a tough team that features two defensive stars in Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg and a goalie in Tim Thomas who is capable of magic on a good day. And indeed, we all remember the magic that Thomas worked last year.

The good news for the Caps is that Ovechkin finished strong after a slow start. They need him to keep it up.

No. 3 Florida Panthers vs. No. 6 New Jersey Devils

Series Begins: Friday at 7 p.m. ET in Florida

Most Important Player: Stephen Weiss

The Panthers are the higher seed in this series, but a lot of people are expecting the Devils to roll right through them. They're better on offense, they're better on defense, and they're no strangers to the postseason.

But as far as important players go, the guy who stands out is a guy who has never been to the postseason before: Stephen Weiss.

Weiss has been a solid player for the Panthers ever since they chose him fourth overall way back in 2001, but he's never gotten to taste the playoffs. With that changing this year, you can't help but wonder if Weiss has something special in store.

If Weiss is energized enough to become even more of a threat with the puck in his possession, the Devils are going to have a hard time containing the Panthers. If the Panthers win, the rest of the Eastern Conference will have been warned.

No. 4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. No. 5 Philadelphia Flyers

Series Begins: Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET in Pittsburgh

Most Important Player: Sidney Crosby

The Penguins are lucky enough to have three tremendous centers, but you're probably not surprised to see Sidney Crosby singled out as the most important player of the bunch.

We all know Crosby's story. His career was looking pretty dicey for a while there, but he's managed to stay healthy over the last month or so and the results speak for themselves. Crosby has looked like, well, himself.

The one problem is that nothing can be taken for granted with Crosby's health. All it will take is one vicious hit, and he could be sidelined for good. It's sad, but it's true. It's also a reality the Flyers could look to exploit.

One way or the other, all eyes will be on Crosby in this series. As long as he's on the ice, the Penguins are extraordinarily dangerous. If he's forced off the ice, the Penguins are beatable.