Stanley Cup Final 2012: Players Who Mean the Most to Their Teams

The New Jersey Devils will face the Los Angeles Kings in the 2012 Stanley Cup Final, and both teams owe much of their success to a couple of invaluable players.

These men have meant the world to their respective teams throughout the regular season and especially in the postseason. Their leadership and talent drives their teammates to play above and beyond what they thought they could do.

There's no chance either team would be where they are today—competing for the Stanley Cup—without these players.

Martin Brodeur, Goalkeeper, Devils

The old man still has what it takes to lead his team to the promised land. Even on his off nights—like the one he had in Game 5—Brodeur inspires his teammates to win. 

Brodeur misplayed a puck and the resulting goal allowed the New York Rangers to tie the game. Brodeur was willing to take responsibility for the loss if they hadn't rallied to win that game, according to the Star-Ledger, but his teammates never lost their faith.

"He played great," captain Zach Parise said. "(Ryan) Callahan's goal went in off the shin pad. (Brodeur) has that ability to make the big save and calm everyone down."

Brodeur made headlines (via the NY Daily News) before the series with the Rangers by calling Henrik Lundqvist “the top goalie in the NHL right now,” and saying, "For me, it’s kind of nice to be able to compete against him. I’ll do my best to match up, but it’s going to be pretty hard.”

I was one who thought that he made a mistake by uttering those words, but I was wrong. Brodeur knew how to motivate his team, and they responded to the challenge by breaking Lundqvist down.

Jonathan Quick, Goalkeeper, Kings

The Kings would be hopelessly lost without the incredible efforts of their goalkeeper this year.

The king of the Kings has pitched two playoff shutouts so far this postseason and his .946 save percentage during the same period of time is almost inhuman.

His teammates practically worship him for his tireless efforts. Forward Dustin Penner talked about his teammate after Quick made two vital saves in Game 1 of their series against the St. Louis Blues, via the New York Times:

"

If that goes in, the snowball at the top of the hill starts for St. Louis. It rolls and it probably rolls down over the top of us. From how he reads the game, he knows when we need a big save. He does it over and over again.

"

Quick has been the star of the NHL playoffs thus far and if the Kings have any hopes of winning this year's Stanley Cup, he will have to continue playing at the same high level for at least four more games.

Zach Parise, Left Wing, Devils

Devils captain Zach Parise scored three goals and chipped in with three assists in the series against the Rangers. He has played incredibly throughout the postseason, scoring seven goals and seven assists altogether.

It's just more of the same from the man who can seemingly do it all. He scored 31 goals and helped out with 39 more during the regular season, and his direction and leadership on the ice is the driving force behind the Devils offense.

Parise is set to become a free agent in July, but for now he's fully engaged with his teammates and their goal to win this year's Stanley Cup. He is their best all-around player and is a true leader both on and off the ice.

New Jersey defenseman Bryce Salvador knows the team would be lost without their captain, according to ESPN:

"

That's why he's wearing the 'C.' He leads by example, and no one was happy with the result after Game 3 but no one was frustrated, everyone was just left [with] a bad taste. But he comes out and he's our best player.

"

Parise will need to have his A-game ready to face Quick and the Kings defense. 

Dustin Brown, Left Wing, Kings

King was a terrific player for the Kings during the regular season, but he's really picked up his game for the team's postseason run. He has been a huge part of their offense, posting seven goals and nine assists so far this postseason.

Brown seems to be everywhere all at once on the ice when he's on his game. Whether he's nailing a crucial goal or laying out one of the opposition's best players—cleanly, of course—Brown always makes decisions that benefit his team.

He is a natural right-winger, but injuries to Scott Parse and Simon Gagne have forced him to play out of position. You wouldn't know it, though, by the way he's been playing lately.

One of the best attributes of the Kings captain is his ability to get under the skin of opponents. He's a natural instigator, and there have been numerous times this year that his antics have completely thrown off the best players on the opposite end of the ice.

Brown is invaluable to the Kings, and without his play this year, there's no way they would be where they are today.

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