NHL Playoffs 2012: 25 Storylines to Watch Looking Ahead to Upcoming Games

The 2012 NHL playoffs have had some great games with thrilling overtimes and unlikely heroes making a name for themselves, but much of the talk has surrounded player discipline.

With so many players missing games due to suspension, it's impossible to predict the outcome of each game every night.

Let's look at 25 storylines to watch as the excitement of the first round really starts to build.

Raffi Torres Suspension

Since Phoenix Coyotes forward Raffi Torres has an in-person hearing in New York with league disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan on Friday, his suspension for his brutal hit on Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa won't be less than five games.

How many game will he get? I would guess 10.

Will the Penguins Make History?

The Pittsburgh Penguins won Game 4 of their first-round series against the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night to avoid a sweep. Can they make a historic comeback and win the series? Only two teams since 1975 have won a series since being down 0-3, the most recent team being the 2010 Flyers.

Is the Luongo Era in Vancouver Over?

Back-up goaltender Cory Schneider has started the last two games for the Vancouver Canucks against the Los Angeles Kings and has played very well, allowing just two goals in two games. 

Roberto Luongo might not get his job back for the rest of the playoffs, and it's possible he could leave the team in the summer if Schneider is awarded the starting job next season.

Will Vancouver Make History Too?

The Canucks avoided elimination on Wednesday night with a win against the Kings and will travel home down 3-1. With leading goal scorer Daniel Sedin back in the lineup, the Canucks have a shot to make history and win the series.

Daniel Alfredsson's Injury

Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson has not played in the last two game of his team's series against the Rangers after taking an elbow to the head from rookie Carl Hagelin in Game 2.

Alfredsson might not play again in this series, which might affect his retirement decision in the summer since this is not how you want to leave the sport.

Flyers Goaltending

Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov has been brutal in his team's first-round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins and has a save percentage of .844.

If he doesn't improve, the Penguins could win the series after being down 0-3.

Penguins Goaltending

Marc-Andre Fleury was better in Game 4 for the Penguins than he was in the first three games, but he cannot expect his offense to score five or six goals every game against the Flyers. Or can he?

Alexander Semin

Washington Capitals star winger Alexander Semin must play better offensively, or his team won't defeat the Bruins in the first round. 

Semin has just one goal through three games and has been invisible at times.

The Best Series People Aren't Watching

The New Jersey Devils and Florida Panthers are playing a fantastically entertaining series right now, but many people aren't watching because they either don't know enough about these teams or because the series doesn't have the nastiness that many other series have right now.

This series will have a tremendous impact on the Eastern Conference playoffs, however. The Bruins would love to face the Panthers in round two, but a Devils win over Florida would give Boston the Flyers or Penguins in round two.

Jonathan Quick

Jonathan Quick is one of the early Conn Smythe Award favorites, but it will be interesting to see how his Kings teammates play in Vancouver after the Canucks swung the momentum back in their direction with a Game 4 win.

Tyler Seguin's Struggles

Bruins forward Tyler Seguin led the team in scoring this season, but he hasn't done anything against the Capitals through three games and has zero points.

Chara/Seidenberg vs. Ovechkin

The Bruins defensive pairing of Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg has done a wonderful job of containing Capitals star forward Alexander Ovechkin in this series, and they will have to continue that if Boston is to move to the second round.

Jaroslav Halak's Injury

St. Louis Blues goaltender Jaroslav Halak won't play in Game 4 against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night because of an injury. As the Blues goalie with the most playoff experience, this is a big concern for St. Louis.

David Backes vs. Joe Thornton

St. Louis Blues star David Backes is one of the best defensive forwards in hockey, and he must win his matchup with talented San Jose Sharks playmaker Joe Thornton, or the Blues are in trouble.

TV Ratings Are High

NBC has seen huge ratings for their coverage of the NHL playoffs, and this will certainly be something to watch as the playoffs unfold and teams get eliminated.

Will fans of teams who are eliminated continue to watch in big numbers?

Sponsors Concerned?

According to the Globe and Mail, some NHL sponsors are taking notice of the increased violence thus far in the first round. This will be an interesting story to watch going forward.

Brendan Shanahan Criticism

This is one storyline that won't end anytime soon. League disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan has made some very questionable decisions regarding suspensions in the playoffs thus far and has drawn a lot of criticism for it. 

It's safe to say he will have a lot more decisions to make regarding player discipline before the playoffs are over.

Is This the Sharks' Last Cup Run?

The current San Jose Sharks team is one of the oldest teams in the playoffs and have few young stars. Failure to win the Stanley Cup could result in some big-name veterans such as Joe Thornton or Patrick Marleau leaving the team this summer.

Alain Vigneault's Coaching Future with Canucks

If the Vancouver Canucks are upset in the first round after winning the Presidents' Trophy and reaching the Stanley Cup Final last year, head coach Alain Vigneault could take the fall for the disappointment. 

Goaltender Flopping

After Blackhawks rookie Andrew Shaw was suspended three games for his hit on Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith, goaltenders might look to embellish more when they come into contact with an opponent. Goalies will be protected in the playoffs.

Players Diving

Diving has no place in the NHL playoffs, and it will be interesting to see how the referees address it going forward. Thus far, the officials have not done enough to send diving players to the penalty box for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Will the Senators Upset the Rangers?

A dramatic Game 4 win in overtime has given the Ottawa Senators hope that they can defeat the top-seeded New York Rangers in the first round. If New York doesn't win Game 5 at home, they could be in major trouble.

Are the Red Wings' Days of Being Legit Title Contenders Over?

Down 3-1 to the Nashville Predators and facing elimination, it appears that the Detroit Red Wings' time as legitimate Stanley Cup contenders with their current squad may be drawing to a close.

Martin Brodeur's Struggles

New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur is a hall of player and one of the best ever to play his position, but since winning the Stanley Cup in 2003, he has been very average in the playoffs. 

If he doesn't improve his play, the Devils could be eliminated in the first round yet again.

Pekka Rinne's Dominant Performances

Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne has been the best player in the postseason thus far and has completely shut down the Detroit Red Wings offense through for games. He is certainly the leader in the Conn Smythe Trophy race.