Stanley Cup Finals Schedule 2012: Date, Start Time, Live Stream and Predictions

The Los Angeles Kings and New Jersey Devils will begin the 2012 Stanley Cup finals on Wednesday in what promises to be a series that all levels of hockey fans will enjoy.

Although it's unlikely that these two teams will build the level of hatred toward one another in this series that the Boston Bruins and Vancouver Canucks did in last year's Cup finals, the intensity of this matchup will be enormous.

The Kings are attempting to win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history and end their 44-year championship drought.

Out of the five teams that remain in operation from the 1967 league expansion, only the Kings and St. Louis Blues haven't won a Stanley Cup. Their 44-year drought is tied for the longest in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Devils, on the other hand, have been one of the most successful teams in sports since 1990. With this year's appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals, New Jersey has now appeared in five finals since 1995. They are 3-1 in finals thus far, winning in 1995, 2000, 2003 and losing in 2001.

This matchup is full of compelling storylines and exciting superstars who are ready to put on a great show on hockey's biggest stage.

Let's look at some predictions for the series, as well as all the information you need to know so you don't miss a minute of the excitement.

When, Where and How to Watch the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals

	Date	Time (ET)	TV Info	Location
Game 1	Wednesday, May 30	8 p.m.	NBC, CBC, RDS	Prudential Center, Newark, N.J.
Game 2	Saturday, June 2	8 p.m.	NBC, CBC, RDS	Prudential Center, Newark, N.J.
Game 3	Monday, June 4	8 p.m.	NBCSN, CBC, RDS	Staples Center, Los Angeles
Game 4	Wednesday, June 6	8 p.m.	NBCSN, CBC, RDS	Staples Center, Los Angeles
Game 5	Saturday, June 9	8 p.m.	NBC, CBC, RDS	Prudential Center, Newark, N.J.
Game 6	Monday, June 11	8 p.m.	NBC, CBC, RDS	Staples Center, Los Angeles
Game 7	Wednesday, June 13	8 p.m.	NBC, CBC, RDS	Prudential Center, Newark, N.J.

Live Stream: Hockey Night in Canada

Predictions

Leading Scorer: Anze Kopitar

Anze Kopitar is one superstar player who doesn't receive enough national recognition, but after this final, he will earn the respect he deserves.

Kopitar is second on the Kings with 15 points (six goals, nine assists) in the playoffs thus far and leads the postseason with a plus-minus of 13.

Expect him to lead the Kings in scoring during the Cup finals and show to the world that he's one of the elite players in the game.

Conn Smythe Winner: Jonathan Quick

If Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick plays well against the Devils, there's no chance he doesn't win the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

While several important players such as forwards Dustin Brown and Dustin Penner have stepped up their games in the playoffs, Quick is the reason that the Kings are four wins away from hoisting the Stanley Cup.

Unless a player just dominates the Cup finals and scores a record amount of points, it's difficult to imagine a Kings triumph not including a Conn Smythe Trophy for the former UMass goalie.

Stanley Cup Champion: Kings in 5

The Kings have an edge in so many areas in this matchup, and with Quick playing so consistently in net, I cannot see the Devils winning four games.

Unless Quick severely regresses from his current form, the Kings will have a great chance to win every game in this series.

With their strong penalty kill and impressive offensive production from their top two scoring lines, expect the Kings to win their first Stanley Cup in team history in five games.

Follow @NicholasGoss35

Nicholas Goss is an NHL Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and was also the organization's on-site reporter for the 2011 Stanley Cup finals in Boston.