The L.A. Kings have won their second Stanley Cup in three years, after defeating the Rangers in double overtime Friday night.
L.A. defenseman Alec Martinez scored the winning goal at 14:43 of the second overtime period. His fifth goal of the playoff series, Martinez shot a rebound of a shot by Tyler Toffoli to lead the Kings to victory.
CBS News reports that Martinez said after the game, “Fortunately, the rebound came to me and I was able to put it in. The New York Rangers are a hell of a hockey team. We knew it was going to be a tough series.”
The Kings took an early lead 6:04 into the first period. Justin Williams scored first for the Kings with a backhand shot that slid under the pads of Rangers’ goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.
New York tied the game late in the second period with a power-play goal by Chris Kreider. Just minutes later, the Rangers took the lead with a goal from Brian Boyle, making the score 2-1.
L.A. then tied the game in the third period with a power-play goal by Marian Gaborik, after New York’s Mats Zuccarello took a questionable tripping penalty. Then, at 14:43 into the second overtime, L.A.’s Alec Martinez scored and the Kings congregated near the Rangers’ net in celebration.
A victory parade for the Kings is planned for Monday in downtown Los Angeles. CNN reports that Mayor Eric Garcetti said, “We all feel tremendous pride today. Our Kings of the ice were once considered underdogs. But with to Stanley Cup wins in three years, they have proved they are Kings of the game.”