Top 5 Active NHL Playoff Points Leaders

With most of the Quarterfinals series nearly finished in the 2012 NHL playoffs, there's still plenty of playoff hockey to be played—as well as plenty of time for the NHL's elite to score enough points to cement themselves in the history books.

Sure, some of hockey's playoff greats like Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Brett Hull and Joe Sakic have been gone from the game for some time. But there are some still active players that are clutch when the second season begins, and a name or two on the list might surprise you.

Here are the top-five active points leaders in the NHL playoffs.

*This list will exclude anyone currently out with injury. 

No. 5: Henrik Zetteberg, Detroit Red Wings

When you think of solid two-way players in the NHL, Detroit's Henrik Zetterberg's name probably comes to mind. He'll never be a liability in his own zone—he's posted a minus rating in only one of his nine NHL seasons—while being a threat to score.

In 668 career regular season games Zetterberg has 624 points, but it's the postseason where Zetterberg steps his game up a notch.

The former seventh-round draft pick averages nearly a point per game in the playoffs (101 points in 108 games), including scoring 27 points in the Detroit's 2008 Stanley Cup run. Zetterberg had an incredible four game-winning goals in that postseason.

No. 4: Danny Briere, Philadelphia Flyers

The former No. 24 overall draft pick of the Phoenix Coyotes, Danny Briere has carved out a solid career for himself.

In 813 career regular season games, Briere has 643 points without recording a 100-point season and has been selected to two All-Star teams. 

The one thing that has eluded the 34 year old is a Stanley Cup, but it's not because of his play in the second season.

In 101 career postseason games, Briere has 102 points—better than a point per game pace—and almost took Flyers to the Stanley Cup run in 2010 when he notched 30 points in 23 games before losing in Game 6 to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Briere and his Flyers are in a slugfest with the Pittsburgh Penguins in their current playoff seires, and the center has six points to his credit with his team up 3-1.

Can the Flyers go on another miraculous playoff run to help Danny Briere get his first cup?

No. 3: Patrik Elias, New Jersey Devils

The Devils' franchise leader in nearly every offensive category, Patrik Elias is the best scorer the franchise has ever known. The two-time Stanley Cup champion has never laced up his skates for another team, dedicating all 16 of his professional seasons to New Jersey.

In 142 career playoff games, Elias has 119 points. His play on the A-line—20 points in 23 games—along with teammates Petr Sykora and Jason Arnott was a key component in the Devils' Stanley Cup in 2000.

Elias is getting up there in age, just having turned 36 on April 13, but that hasn't stopped the Czech center from being a productive offensive player.

No. 2: Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings

When you talk about the best defenseman of not only the last two decades but in the history of the NHL, Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom deserves a spot in the conversation. 

The Red Wings' captain is an 12-time All-Star and seven-time winner of the Norris trophy for the best defenseman in the NHL for his exceptional regular season play.

However, when it comes to the postseason, Lidstrom has been fantastic.

In 261 career playoff games—most among active players—Lidstrom has 183 points, while averaging 28:11 of ice time and boasting a career plus-61 rating. His numbers rank 11th all-time in NHL postseason history, and are second most among defenseman.

Not many have been as steady defensively, consistent offensively and as durable as Nicklas Lidstrom.

In fact, we may never see his like again.

No. 1: Jaromir Jagr, Philadelphia Flyers

Eighth all-time in points. 11th all-time in goals. A five-time Art Ross trophy winner. The NHL MVP for the 1998-99 season. 

Jaromir Jagr's list of accomplishments goes on and on. One the most gifted players ever to grace a sheet of ice, Jaromir Jagr has excited fans with his talents since 1990, when he was just a bright-eyed, mullet wearing teenager learning from one of the greats at the time in Mario Lemeiux.

Jagr is also a two-time Stanley Cup champion, winning back-to-back titles with the Penguins as a rookie and sophomore in the league—an impressive feat for someone not even in their 20s at the time.

From the glory days of the Penguins, his one playoff stint with the Capitals, the three unsuccessful runs with the Rangers and now with the Flyers, Jagr has been a consistent scoring threat no matter the team or the circumstance.

In 173 career playoff games, Jags has 187 points—the most among active players and ninth all-time in NHL playoff history.

Out of the NHL for over three years and on the back of a 54-point season, Jagr hasn't slowed down in the playoffs, scoring six points through four games in the team's series with Jagr's former Penguins. 

When you talk about the NHL greats, both regular season and playoffs, Jaromir Jagr is right at the top of the list.