NHL Stanley Cup Finals 2012: 50 Greatest Moments in Stanley Cup Finals History

The Los Angeles Kings and New Jersey Devils will start writing their own history when they play Game 1 of the 2012 Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday.

They will add to the rich history of hockey's most exciting time of the year and give fans memorable moments we won't soon forget.

As we look forward to this year's Cup Final, let's look back at the 50 greatest moments in Stanley Cup Final history.

Bobby Orr's Iconic Goal

Boston Bruins defenseman Bobby Orr is the greatest NHL player of all-time, and his goal to win the 1970 Stanley Cup in which he flew into the air in celebration is the most iconic moment in Stanley Cup Final history.

Patrick Kane Wins the Stanley Cup

It took a few moments for everyone to realize that the puck was in the back of the net, but Patrick Kane knew it was in. He had just ended the Chicago Blackhawks' long Stanley Cup drought in 2010.

Marc-Andre Fluery Saves the Cup

Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury makes a tremendous save in the final moments of Game 7 to help his team win the Stanley Cup in 2009.

Mark Messier Lifts the Big Apple

Mark Messier was brought to the New York Rangers to do one thing, win the Stanley Cup. He accomplished this goal in a legendary 1994 season in New York that ended their long championship drought.

Teemu Selanne Finally Wins the Stanley Cup

What does winning the Stanley Cup mean to Teemu Selanne? Look at the emotion in this interview.

Rod Brind'amour

Rod Brind'amour waited a long time to lift the Stanley Cup, and he finally did in 2006 with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Iginla Helps Win Game 5 in 2004

Jarome Iginla gave the Calgary Flames a remarkable shift during overtime in Game 5 of the 2004 Cup Final and assisted on the winning goal that gave his team a 3-2 series lead.

"Off the Floor, on the Board!"

Anaheim Ducks captain Paul Kariya was knocked out of Game 6 in the 2003 Stanley Cup Final by a Scott Stevens hit but came back to help extend his team's lead with a laser beam past New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur.

Ray Bourque Finally Hoists the Cup

Ray Bourque finally winning the Stanley Cup after two decades of failing to win it was the best moment in Stanley Cup Final history.

The emotion of this moment proves how special the Stanley Cup really is.

Jason Arnott Wins the Cup for the Devils

Jason Arnott's goal in overtime of Game 6 during the 2000 Stanley Cup Final gave the New Jersey Devils their second championship in team history.

Brett Hull's Controversial Goal in 1999

Brett Hull's 1999 Stanley Cup winning goal is one of the most controversial moments in playoff history, but it was the greatest moment in Dallas Stars history.

Darren McCarty's Amazing Goal

In one of the best displays of individual brilliance in Stanley Cup Final history, Detroit Red Wings forward Darren McCarty gave his team a 2-0 lead in Game 4 with a wonderful goal.

Konstantinov Joins in Red Wings Celebration

A year after suffering serious injuries in a car accident, Vladimir Konstantinov was with his teammates in 1998 to enjoy the Stanley Cup with them in an amazing and emotional moment.

Wayne Gretzky Wins First Stanley Cup

In 1984 the Edmonton Oilers ended the New York Islanders dynasty by beating them in the Stanley Cup Final.

This win started the Oilers own dynasty, and it was Wayne Gretzky's first championship.

Colorado Avalanche Win the Stanley Cup

Uwe Krupp's series winning goal in triple overtime of Game 4 gave the Colorado Avalanche the 1996 Stanley Cup championship, the first in team history.

Chara Lifts the Cup High

When the Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup last year, captain Zdeno Chara raised it higher than it had ever been before because he is the tallest player to ever play in the NHL.

Richter Stops Bure's Penalty Shot

During the 1994 Stanley Cup Final, Vancouver Canucks forward Pavel Bure had a penalty shot against the New York Rangers goalie Mike Richter. The American made a tremendous save to rob Bure of an important goal.

Lanny McDonald

After a wonderful Hall of Fame career, Lanny McDonald finally got his hands on the Stanley Cup in 1989.

Klima Ends Game 1 in 3OT

Petr Klima ended an amazing Game 1 of the 1990 Stanley Cup Final when he scored the winning goal in triple overtime against the Boston Bruins.

Boston was never able to recover and lost the series in five games.

Mario Lemieux's Legendary Goal

Mario Lemieux's iconic goal in the 1991 Stanley Cup Final against the Minnesota North Stars is probably the best goal in the history of the Cup Final.

Lanny McDonald Scores in Game 6

Calgary Flames captain Lanny McDonald helped his team win Game 6 of the 1989 Stanley Cup Final against the Montreal Canadiens by scoring an important goal right after the Flames killed a penalty.

It should also be noted that the pass to set up this goal by Joe Nieuwendyk was one of the best set ups ever in Stanley Cup Final history.

Sidney Crosby Becomes Youngest Captain to Win the Cup

Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby became the youngest captain ever to hoist the Stanley Cup in 2009.

The "Fog Game"

The Philadelphia Flyers and Buffalo Sabres had to play through a bat flying over the ice and intense fog during Game 3 of the 1975 Stanley Cup Final.

Islanders Win 4th Straight Stanley Cup

One of the best dynasties in NHL history was completed in 1983 when the New York Islanders beat the Edmonton Oilers for their fourth straight championship.

St. Louis Scores and Keeps Lightning's Season Alive

Martin St. Louis scored in double overtime to keep the Tampa Bay Lightning's hopes of winning the Stanley Cup alive by forcing a Game 7 in 2004.

Grant Fuhr in 1984

When the Edmonton Oilers won the Stanley Cup in 1984, their goaltender Grant Fuhr made history by becoming the first African-Canadian player to hoist the best trophy in sports.

Henri Richard Wins 11th Stanley Cup

Montreal Canadiens hero Henri Richard's 11 Stanley Cup titles as a player is a record that probably will never be broken.

Flyers Win Their First Stanley Cup

The 1974 Philadelphia Flyers won the franchise's first Stanley Cup Championship and also became the first expansion team to ever win the Cup.

Kate Smith Sings God Bless America

In the only mention of this list not including something a player did, the legendary Kate Smith sings "God Bless America" during the 1974 Stanley Cup Final.

I get tears watching it, and I've been a lifelong Boston Bruins fan. It's impossible not to appreciate this moment.

Niedermayer's Hoist Cup Together

Four years after he prevented his brother from winning the Stanley Cup, Scott and Rob Niedermayer lifted the Stanley Cup together in 2007 as members of the Anaheim Ducks.

It was Rob's first title.

Lidstrom Makes History

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom made history in 2008 by becoming the first European captain to hoist the Stanley Cup.

Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins would become the second in 2011.

Red Wings End Their Drought

The Detroit Red Wings ended their Stanley Cup drought in 1997 when they won their first championship since 1955.

Dave Andreychuk Finally Lifts the Stanley Cup

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Dave Andreychuk was finally able to hoist the Stanley Cup in 2004 after a long and great career.

Igor Larionov Ends 3OT

Red Wings forward Igor Larionov won Game 3 of the 2002 Stanley Cup Final by scoring a goal in triple overtime.

Detroit would win the championship in five games over the Carolina Hurricanes.

Jagr Scores a Beauty Against Chicago

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jaromir Jagr scored a memorable goal in Game 1 of the 1992 Stanley Cup Final against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Canadiens Win 5th Straight Stanley Cup

Another record that probably won't ever be broken in the salary cap era is the Montreal Canadiens' run of five straight Stanley Cups, with the final title coming in 1960 with a four game sweep over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Red Wings Win First Game 7 OT in a Stanley Cup Final

The 1955 Detroit Red Wings became the first team to win a Stanley Cup in overtime of a Game 7 when they defeated the New York Rangers.

Candiens Beat Wayne Gretzky in 1993

The last team from Canada to win the Stanley Cup was the 1993 Montreal Canadiens. They defeated Wayne Gretzky and the Los Angeles Kings in six games.

1942 Stanley Cup Finals Game 7

The Toronto Maple Leafs are the only team ever to win a Stanley Cup Final after trailing 0-3 in the series. They did it in 1942 against the Detroit Red Wings with a Game 7 victory.

Messier Scores in Game 7

Mark Messier's power-play goal in Game 7 was the game winning goal for the New York Rangers in the 1994 Stanley Cup Final.

Ken Dryden Completes Storybook Season

Montreal Canadiens rookie goaltender Ken Dryden played fantastic in Game 7 of the 1971 Stanley Cup Final to give his team another championship and complete his remarkable playoff run.

Tampa Bay Wins Their First Stanley Cup

In 2004, the Tampa Bay Lightning became the first and only Stanley Cup winning team from the state of Florida when they defeated the Calgary Flames in seven games.

Cam Ward Makes Epic Game 7 Save

Cam Ward's amazing save on Edmonton Oilers forward Fernando Pisani late in the third period of Game 7 helped the Carolina Hurricanes win the 2006 Stanley Cup.

Ward was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner.

Gretzky and Smith Share a Moment

In a great moment for the Oilers, captain Wayne Gretzky gave the 1987 Stanley Cup to defenseman Steve Smith. Smith, of course, was the villain one year earlier when a bad gaffe ruined Edmonton's playoff run.

Greztky Wins Cup in Final Game with Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers completed their fourth championship in five seasons when they defeated the Boston Bruins in the 1988 Stanley Cup Final with a 6-3 Game 4 victory.

It was Wayne Gretzky's last career game with the Oilers.

Islanders Dynasty Begins

The New York Islanders dynasty started in 1980 when they defeated the Philadelphia Flyers in six games to win the Stanley Cup. They would go on to win three more titles in a row.

Bob Baun Plays with Broken Ankle

Bob Baun of the Toronto Maple Leafs came back to Game 6 of the 1964 Stanley Cup Final and won the game in overtime to keep the series alive after breaking his ankle earlier in the game.

Jacques Lemaire Completes Game 7 Comeback

Jacques Lemaire's goal in Game 7 of the 1971 Stanley Cup Final helped the Montreal Canadiens come back from a 2-0 deficit earlier in the game to win 3-2 and take the championship.

Toronto Wins Four Cups in Five Years

The Toronto Maple Leafs won the 1951 Stanley Cup Final in Game 5 in overtime over the Montreal Canadiens. The Leafs won all four games in the series in overtime.

Bruins End 39 Years of Heart Break

The Boston Bruins ended 39 years of playoff frustrations when they beat the Vancouver Canucks in an exciting seven-game series in 2011.