Using finite element method analysis of surface acoustic wave (SAW) propagation in the phononic crystal in a form of periodic lattice from nickel pillars, located on a piezoelectric substrate of Y + 128°-cut LiNbO3, has been conducted. Amplitude and phase characteristics of SAW propagation through said structure have been numerically studied and the change in the formed stopbands width and center frequency, related with geometric parameters of the phononic crystal changing, was analyzed. The numerical results were compared with the experimental measurements.