2012 NHL Playoffs: Each Team's Biggest X-Factor in the Playoffs

The 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs are an exciting time for the NHL, and each team has an X-factor that gives them a chance to win. Sometimes when a game features two evenly matched teams, having an X-factor who can make an impact is very important.

While there are teams that are up 3-0 and down 0-3, each team has an X-factor who can change things around.

Boston Bruins: Patrice Bergeron

Patrice Bergeron is a valuable player on both sides of the puck for the Boston Bruins. He is the most important player for most of the game because he does so much. He will take key faceoffs, he will forecheck, hit, score and make plays happen.

Bergeron is a versatile player who can defend smartly in his own end and can then transition seamlessly from defense to offense. 

While the Bruins have tons of talented players like Zdeno Chara and Tim Thomas, Bergeron is a great mix of all the things you need to win a Stanley Cup. 

Chicago Blackhawks: Jonathan Toews

Jonathan Toews is a natural leader and really sets the tone for the Chicago Blackhawks. He is their X-factor and his playoff history and skill set help him have a lasting impact.  

Toews was a clutch playoff performer for the Blackhawks during their recent Stanley Cup run, so this year should be no different. With Toews leading the squad on the ice, he should be a big X-factor for the Hawks.

Detroit Red Wings: Pavel Datsyuk

Not only is Pavel Datsyuk a wizard on the ice, he is one of the most important players on the Detroit Red Wings. Datsyuk is a player who can be a real game-changer, and that is something the Red Wings will need to thwart the Nashville Predators in Round 1.

Datsyuk is a veteran leader on the Red Wings, and there is no reason why he can't put them on his back as they attempt to win another Stanley Cup championship.

Florida Panthers: Kris Versteeg

Kris Versteeg has bounced from team to team throughout the league, but has found his place for now in Florida.

The Panthers were one of the biggest surprises of the season, and Kris Versteeg was a big reason why. Versteeg scored 23 goals and assisted on 31 others for 54 points.

Versteeg is an explosive player who can be a true game-changer late in the game when the Panthers need a goal.

Los Angeles Kings: Jonathan Quick

Jonathan Quick had a great regular season with a record of 35-21-13, a 1.95 GAA and 10 shutouts. He is a main reason why the Los Angeles Kings made the playoffs. 

The Kings are on the verge of sweeping the defending Western Conference champions, and Jonathan Quick is a huge reason why. The Kings' goaltender is 3-0-0 with a 1.33 GAA and one shutout so far against the Canucks.

Up to this point, the Canucks have not generated any significant offense and if Quick keeps up his solid play, the Kings really could go all the way to the final.

Nashville Predators: Pekka Rinne

Goaltending is so crucial to playoff success, and that is why the Nashville Predators are on the verge of advancing to the second round after taking a 3-1 series lead over the Detroit Red Wings.

Pekka Rinne, the Predators' top X-factor, will deserve some serious recognition for the Vezina Trophy this year. Rinne is a top-notch goaltender who has emerged as one of the league's best.

Rinne was the winningest goaltender in this year's regular season and was a huge reason why the Predators were successful. 

New Jersey Devils: Ilya Kovalchuk

Ilya Kovalchuk is one of the most explosive scorers of the last decade. He is currently one of the rare players who averages a point per game.  He is the New Jersey Devils' most important X-factor because his play drives the offense. 

Kovalchuk is a deadly sharpshooter and can come through in the clutch.

This season, Kovalchuk scored 37 goals and was a key contributor for the Devils.

New York Rangers: Henrik Lundqvist

Goaltending is an important necessity to have if a team has Stanley Cup aspirations. During the regular season, Lundqvist was a leading favorite for the Vezina Trophy and was named as a potential Hart Trophy finalist.

Lundqvist is 2-0-1 and has a 1.66 GAA thus far in the opening-round series against the Senators. If Lundqvist can continue his play, there is no reason why he can't become the NHL's top X-factor this postseason.

The New York Rangers took a 2-1 series lead on Monday night against the Ottawa Senators. They were able to accomplish this because X-factor Henrik Lundqvist was on his game as he shut the door en route to a 39-save shutout.

Ottawa Senators: Erik Karlsson

The Senators have fallen in a 2-1 hole against the Rangers but in the team's one win, Erik Karlsson was a huge factor.

Karlsson started off with promise and slowly started to become a top defender. After this season, Karlsson quickly entered the NHL's elite for offensive defensemen.

Last year, he had 45 points; he had 78 this season.

His puck-moving ability, blazing shot and power-play prowess make him a top X-factor for the Ottawa Senators.

Philadelphia Flyers: Claude Giroux

The Philadelphia Flyers are glad to have a 3-0 series lead over the Pittsburgh Penguins, but odds are they are even happier that Claude Giroux has emerged as a bona fide superstar.

The Flyers were severely criticized over the offseason for trading away Mike Richards and Jeff Carter. However, no one accounted for the breakout season Giroux would eventually have. In three playoff games, Giroux has eight points.

In hindsight, the move has really paid off, and on the stick of Giroux, the Flyers will most likely move on to the next round.

Phoenix Coyotes: Mike Smith

Mike Smith definitely deserves some serious recognition for backstopping the Coyotes to a division title. If you don't think so, just take a look at Smith's impressive stat line from this year: 38-18-10, 2.21 GAA and eight shutouts.

For the past few weeks leading up to and including the playoffs, Smith has been white hot. The Coyotes are currently ahead in their series with the Chicago Blackhawks by a 2-1 margin, and Smith could prove to be the difference.

Smith is a goaltender who can steal a series if given an opportunity, and the Coyotes will ride him as far as he will take them because he is that good. 

Pittsburgh Penguins: Evgeni Malkin

Evgeni Malkin is going to win the Hart Trophy, and he really has played like an MVP this season. However, in the postseason, the Penguins are on the verge of elimination.

Malkin's regular-season dominance saw him go over the 100-point plateau. This is something that illustrates how much of a game-changer Malkin can be.

If by some chance the Penguins can turn it around, odds are Evgeni Malkin will play a huge role. The Penguins are in some dire circumstances and as an X-factor, Malkin can help salvage the series if the Penguins get a few bounces to go their way.

San Jose Sharks: Joe Thornton

Joe Thornton is a battle-tested veteran and leader. He is an explosive player who is a master dish master when it comes to setting up snipers in the slot. He has the soft hands and finesse that has made him one of the league's top playmakers. 

He also can score by throwing his weight around in front of the net. Thornton is an X-factor known for scoring timely goals. He has the ability to command the locker room and set the tone in the process.

Though Thornton has yet to win the "big one," he is an X-factor who has all the tools.

St.Louis Blues: Brian Elliott

With Jaroslav Halak out of the picture, the St. Louis Blues will be forced to rely on Brian Elliott. Elliott was dominant during the regular season and will need to do reproduce that for the Blues to be successful in the playoffs.

Elliott is a goalie capable of standing on his head when necessary, and he will have to do that in order to carry the Blues in the playoffs. He was one of the league's best backup goalies during the regular season, so now it is his time to shine as a starter in the spotlight. 

Vancouver Canucks: Cory Schneider

Cory Schneider could be a huge X-factor if he gets an opportunity to win in Game 4. Roberto Luongo has been abysmal to this point and a goalie shakeup could be a good thing. Schneider was the league's best backup this season, so he has proven he has what it takes.

He had a solid Game 3 and will look to impress if given the opportunity. Earning a win could be a huge momentum builder for a slumping Vancouver Canucks team.

Washington Capitals: Alex Ovechkin

Alex Ovechkin overcame a terrible start to his season and salvaged the year by finishing with 38 goals and 27 assists for 65 points. Ovechkin needs to be a force in the postseason if the Capitals expect to have a chance.

With the Capitals' backs against the wall, Ovechkin has the skills and charisma to pump up the crowd and his team to come out big in Game 4 in Washington.

He is one of the league's most electrifying players and he can prove that as an X-factor going forward. Tying the series up at two games apiece would be a huge momentum builder for the Capitals moving forward.

Tom Urtz Jr. is an NHL Featured Columnist.

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