NHL TV Schedule 2012: Studs Who Could Carry Teams on Deep Playoff Runs

The NHL playoffs never lack for those players who come out of nowhere and provide surprising heroics for their team on its journey to the Stanley Cup.

But this article isn't worried about those guys. This article is all about the stars.

Which studs are most likely to strap a team on their backs and lead them to Lord Stanley's Cup? Which prime-time players will shine the brightest on the NHL's postseason stage?

I've found four I think are capable of doing just that.

Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers

Giroux is one of the game's most exciting players and truly broke out in the 2011-12 season, finishing with 93 points, third most in the NHL.

Giroux is a playmaker, whether by scoring goals himself (28 on the year) or creating for his teammates (his 65 assists was second in the NHL).

When Giroux plays at the top of his game, the Flyers are a tough team to beat. If they make a deep run, you can bet Giroux will play a huge part in their success.

Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins

He was far and away the NHL's leading scorer this year, and he did it with a balanced offensive game, scoring 50 goals and assisting in 59 more. No one player offers more of a threat in the offensive zone than Malkin.

Surely, Sidney Crosby and Marc-Andre Fleury will need to play at an elite level for the Penguins to make a run at the Cup. But if Malkin continues his hot offensive streak from the season, he has the ability to carry this team throughout the postseason with his ability to score.

Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers

The biggest issue heading into the playoffs for the Rangers this year will be whether or not they have enough offensive firepower to win the Stanley Cup.

But if the other team can't score at all, that won't be such an issue, will it?

Behind an already stout defensive unit, Lundqvist has the ability to steal a handful of games for the Rangers in the postseason. If he is on top of his game, the Rangers are going to be very tough to beat.

Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins

This one goes without saying, right?

The man who was so brilliant in last season's Stanley Cup run for the Boston Bruins—he posted four shutouts in 25 postseason contests—has the ability to replicate his feat from last season.

If he's that sharp, the Bruins will be an incredibly tough out once again this year. Be afraid, Eastern Conference—be very afraid.

Looking for an NHL playoff television schedule that includes every first-round game? Bleacher Report has you covered.

Hit me up on Twitter—my tweets are growing a playoff beard.