Kings vs. Devils: Game 1 TV Schedule, Live Stream and More for Stanley Cup Final

The 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs have been upside down from the beginning, so it's only fitting that the Western Conference's No. 8 seed in the Los Angeles Kings will take on the No. 6-seeded New Jersey Devils for the right to hoist Lord Stanley's Cup.

Los Angeles has never won a Cup despite having been in the league since 1967, while the Devils have won it all on three occasions, although the last was nine years ago during the 2002-03 season. Neither team was expected to get past the first or second round much less make it to the Stanley Cup Finals, so there will be a lot of intrigue in this series.

Goaltending has been huge for both teams as Jonathan Quick has developed into one of the best goalies in the league for the Kings, while the ageless Martin Brodeur has defied Father Time for the Devils. Both goaltenders will have to be spectacular in the series and in Game 1 specifically as each team looks to get off to a great start.

Here is everything you need to know about when and where to catch Wednesday's Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals, complete with predictions and analysis as well.

Where: Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

When: Wednesday, May 30 at 8 p.m. ET

Watch: NBC, CBC

Live Stream: CBC.ca/HockeyNightInCanada

Listen: KTLK 1150 AM (Los Angeles) and WFAN 660 AM (New Jersey)

Kings Key Injuries (via TSN)

Out: F Scott Parse (hip)

Doubtful: F Simon Gagne (concussion)

Devils Key Injuries (via TSN)

Questionable: D Henrik Tallinder (leg)

What They're Saying

Goaltending has certainly ruled the day this postseason, and while much of the talk has been about Kings goalie Jonathan Quick and Rangers netminder Henrik Lundqvist, Devils backstop Martin Brodeur may ultimately beat both of them. Even at the age of 40, Brodeur is playing some of the best hockey of his career.

His resurgence has surprised many, including veteran teammate Patrik Elias, according to Mike Vorkunov of the Newark Star-Ledger.

"

It’s just amazing, Patrik Elias said. You guys were talking about him retiring soon and now he’s in the Stanley Cup final. He obviously gives us the best chance every night to win those games and to get to this point.

"

Most Important Player to Watch: Ilya Kovalchuk

While nobody has ever doubted the skill level of Devils forward Ilya Kovalchuk over the course of his career, much has been made about the Russian star not being able to get the job done when it mattered most.

Kovalchuk had never won a playoff series in his first 10 NHL seasons, primarily played with the Atlanta Thrashers. Based on how Kovalchuk has played this season, it's clear that those failures weren't his fault.

Not only did Kovalchuk have a great regular season with 37 goals and 83 points, but he has excelled in the playoffs as well with 18 points in 17 games to lead all skaters. Kovalchuk particularly picked up his play in Game 6 against the Rangers as he scored a big goal and set up the overtime game winner from Adam Henrique. Kovalchuk is going to be the best and most talented offensive player in this series, and he's going to have to strike fear in Quick in Game 1 to set the tone for future games.

Key Matchup: Jonathan Quick vs. Martin Brodeur

It may seem obvious, but whichever goalie performs better between Quick and Brodeur is most likely going to win his team the game. While it may not be for the better, the game is simplified once again as goaltending rules the day just like it did prior to the lockout.

Every team that made it to the conference finals had a red-hot goalie, but Quick and Brodeur managed to be better than the rest as they have led their respective teams to within four wins of the Stanley Cup.

Quick has been the better performer with a 1.54 goals against average and .946 save percentage in the postseason, but Brodeur has been excellent in his own right with a 2.04 goals against average and .923 save percentage.

Both teams rely heavily on great play from their goalies, and that certainly isn't going to change. The biggest mini-battle in this series is going to be Quick vs. Brodeur and it starts on Wednesday.

Prediction

Kings 3, Devils 1 

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