NHL Playoffs 2012: 20 Most Memorable Highlights from the Postseason

The 2012 NHL playoffs have given hockey fans everywhere countless memorable moments that we won't forget for a long time.

These moments filled us with great joy, heartbreak and confusion.

The playoffs bring out the best and the worst of NHL players, so let's look at the most memorable moments of the postseason thus far.

Shea Weber and Henrik Zetterberg

When Predators captain Shea Weber drove Red Wings star Henrik Zetterberg's head into the glass during a first-round game, we all expected the Nashville defenseman to be suspended.

He ended up getting off easy with just a fine, puzzling hockey fans and media members everywhere.

Seguin Forces Game 7

The Boston Bruins forced a Game 7 in their first-round series with the Washington Capitals because of Tyler Seguin's overtime goal in Game 6.

It was Seguin's first career overtime goal.

Ward Beats the Bruins

Capitals forward Joel Ward ended the defending champion Bruins' Stanley Cup dreams with an overtime goal in Game 7 of their first-round series.

Crosby vs. Giroux

It's not often you see skilled players like Claude Giroux and Sidney Crosby fight, even though this bout was pretty uneventful.

Still, it was an exciting scene, and so was the following fight between Kris Letang and Kimmo Timonen.

Henrique Wins Game 7 vs. Panthers

Devils rookie forward Adam Henrique's goal in double overtime of Game 7 in the first round against the Florida Panthers set New Jersey up with a second-round matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers.

There will be more Henrique heroics later in this article.

Brodeur with an Amazing Save

Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur makes this phenomenal save look easy at age 40.

Richards Saves the Rangers in Game 5

Joel Ward took a bad penalty to give the Rangers a power play with under a minute left in Game 5, and Brad Richards scored with 6.6 seconds left in regulation to tie it.

The Rangers would beat the Capitals in overtime.

Giroux's First Shift in Game 6 vs. Penguins

Claude Giroux wanted the first shift of Game 6 against the Penguins, and he proved why with a big hit on Sidney Crosby and the game's first goal.

Raffi Torres' Brutal Hit on Marian Hossa, 25-Game Suspension

Phoenix Coyotes forward Raffi Torres delivered a terrible hit on Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa in the first round and was given a 25-game suspension a few days later. It was the longest suspension ever given out during the playoffs.

However, no penalty was called on Torres as a result of the hit.

Panthers Win First Playoff Game in over a Decade

The Florida Panthers won their first playoff game since the 1997 season when they defeated the New Jersey Devils in Game 2 of the first round.

Bryzgalov Mistake

Flyers goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov tried to play the puck from his crease and ended up shooting it off Devils forward David Clarkson and into his own net.

Jonathan Quick Stops Vrbata

Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick makes a great save on Coyotes forward Radim Vrbata during the Western Conference finals.

Brown Hit on Rozsival

Kings captain Dustin Brown's knee on Coyotes defenseman Michal Rozsival was a hot topic after Game 5 of the West finals.

Brown was not fined or suspended for the collision.

Carkner vs. Boyle

Senators defenseman Matt Carkner was suspended one game for going after Rangers forward Brian Boyle after the New York veteran had an incident with Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson in the prior game.

Mike Smith Slashes Dustin Brown

Coyotes goalie Mike Smith slashed Kings forward Dustin Brown, but the referees foolishly gave the L.A. captain a penalty for diving.

Gaborik Wins 3OT Thriller

Rangers forward Marian Gaborik didn't score a lot of goals in the playoffs, but he did score the game-winner in triple overtime of Game 3 against the Capitals in the second round.

Stoll Eliminates the Canucks

The Los Angeles Kings as a No. 8 seed upset the No. 1 seed Vancouver Canucks in Game 5 of their first-round series with a goal from Jarret Stoll.

Chris Kreider Scores First NHL Goal

Rangers rookie forward Chris Kreider scored his first career NHL goal in Game 6 of the first-round series against the Senators. New York was facing elimination.

The goal ended up being the game-winner.

Dustin Penner Sends Kings to Stanley Cup Final

Dustin Penner made up for his disappointing regular season with the game-winning goal of the Western Conference finals to give the Kings a berth in their first Stanley Cup Final since 1993.

Henrique Sends Rangers Home for the Summer

Devils rookie Adam Henrique scored his second series-winning goal of the playoffs in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals to send New Jersey to the Stanley Cup Final.