NHL Playoff Schedule 2012: Defensemen Who Will Have Biggest Round 1 Impact

It's time the defensemen got some love.

Everyone is always talking about goalies who can steal a few games or offensive juggernauts who will strap teams on their back by scoring at will—but rarely do you see the game's premier defensemen get the same type of love.

Well, I'm here to change that. I'm here to give the blue line a little love today, and pick out several defensemen I believe will have a huge impact in the opening round.

Let's get defensive.

Ryan Suter and Shea Weber, Nashville Predators

The game's best defensive pair will have their hands full with the incredibly skilled Red Wings, but they're up for the task.

Weber finished the year a sparkling plus-21, and Suter wasn't far behind at plus-15. Expect to see a whole lot of this pair against the Red Wings' top two lines. If they can stifle Detroit's offensive attack—and Pekka Rinne brings his A-game—Smashville will be moving on.

Alex Pietrangelo, St. Louis Blues

The former fourth-overall pick in 2008 was excellent this season, posting a plus-16 and scoring 51 points in a potential Norris Trophy-worthy year. He stood out for the young-but-defensively-stout Blues, which was no small task indeed.

Between Pietrangelo anchoring the blue line, solid defensive and goalie play and a huge home-ice advantage, look for St. Louis to beat the San Jose Sharks in the first round.

Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators

While I don't think Ottawa will upset the New York Rangers, it won't be for a lack of effort, and it certainly won't be because Karlsson didn't do his part.

The young Karlsson had a breakout season, finishing plus-16 and tallying 78 points, the most among defensemen this year. If he has a big series for Ottawa, the Senators could give the Rangers all they can handle.

Or maybe even beat them.

Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins

Is there another defenseman in the NHL better at taking away an opponent's top player than Chara?

Actually, Chara is pretty good at taking away anyone on the opposing team he finds himself matched up against, which is a lot of them since he plays nearly half the game.

Chara punishes opposing offensive players, and he'll likely spend most of this series punishing Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Semin. If he keeps those three in check, Boston should handle Washington and be off on another potential Stanley Cup-winning run.

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