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| Alex Martinez's goal powered LA to Stanley Cup. Photo Credit: Getty Images |
The Los Angeles Kings captured their second Stanley Cup in the past three seasons with a dramatic double overtime victory in Game 5 over the New York Rangers. The Kings won the series 4-1. Defensemen Alec Martinez scored off a rebound shot from Tyler Toffoli at 14:43. Martinez became the first NHL player to score the game winning goal that lifted his team to the Stanley Cup Finals and Stanley Cup.
By: Sunil Sunderraj
Mats Zuccarello took a trip penalty at 7:39, opening the door for the Kings to level the game at two. LA would do just that as Jeff Carter kept the play alive in the Rangers zone which lead to a slap shot by Drew Doughty initially stopped by Lundqvist, but Marian Gaborik was able to stick the puck underneath the pads of Lundqvist for his league leading 14th Stanley Cup Playoff goal at 7:56.
Los Angeles came out flying in the first period, peppering Henrik Lundqvist with shots on goal. New York was unable to generate any type of offensive pressure and took almost eight minutes into the period to register a shot on goal.
The Kings would tally the first goal of the game on Justin Williams backhand shot past Lundqvist at 6:04. Several players were jabbing at the puck and creating plenty of traffic in front of the net for Rangers goalie Lundqvist to contend with.
In the second period, Lundqvist continued to keep the Rangers in the game making one brilliant stop after another. New York cashed in on its third power play of the game at 15:37 of the period as Chris Kreider buried the puck into the wide open net off a feed from Ryan McDonagh down low.
New York took the lead 2-1 with five seconds remaining in the second period as Carl Hagelin swiped the puck away from Slava Voynov at center ice and fed a streaking Brian Boyle who maneuvered around Drew Doughty elevating puck, top shelf past Jonathan Quick. It was the Rangers second shorthanded goal of the series.
Los Angeles Kings head coach Darryl Sutter decided to shuffle his lines in the third period. The move paid off as Los Angeles pushed the pace and chipped in the puck to create more forechecking.
Mats Zuccarello took a trip penalty at 7:39, opening the door for the Kings to level the game at two. LA would do just that as Jeff Carter kept the play alive in the Rangers zone which lead to a slap shot by Drew Doughty initially stopped by Lundqvist, but Marian Gaborik was able to stick the puck underneath the pads of Lundqvist for his league leading 14th Stanley Cup Playoff goal at 7:56.
The Kings controlled the majority of play in third period. Playing physical along the boards, taking the puck to the net and creating traffic in front of Lundqvist. Both teams had outstanding scoring opportunities in the last few minutes of the period. A Jonathan Quick pad stop point bank on Brian Boyle. Jake Muzzin’s shot went wide right of the post with five seconds remaining. Los Angeles led in shots on goal in the period 12-3.
In the first overtime, Ryan McDonagh rang a shot off the post. Meanwhile Tyler Toffoli shot smacked off the crossbar. Rick Nash had a wide open net but Voynov got a piece of Nash’s shot. Chris Kreider had a late breakaway but Quick stonewalled him with an arm save.
The Kings were in command on the stats sheet in scoring chances 11-5, shots on goal 13-6 and total shots 42-22.
Starting the second overtime, Jeff Carter redirected a Slava Voynov shot from the point that nailed off the left post. One of many opportunities that were for not for both teams in both overtimes.
Justin Williams named Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the Most Valuable Player. He had seven multi point games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Anze Kopitar led in overall points with 26. The Kings outshot New York 61-25 in the third periods of this series. Rangers had posted a 10-0 record when leading after two periods of play but were 1-2 in the finals. 