Stanley Cup Finals: New York Rangers 2-3 Los Angeles Kings - as it happened!

I just saw there was a loose puck in my own end. I just tried to get it into a forwards hands, and Toffoli had a great shot far pad, and fortunately the rebound came to me and I was able to put it in. Just a great play by them and I'm just the benefactor.

Alec Martinez, who scored the Stanley Cup winning goal for Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, Justin Williams is the winner of the playoff MVP award, known as the Conn Smythe Award. It's his third Stanley Cup victory - he scored nine goals these playoffs, including a goal tonight. He accepts the trophy with a tear - the guy was incredible all playoffs long and now has the hardware to show it.

It is all over in LA and the Kings celebrate an incredible win in an epic series - it's not a word that s normally used to describe a short, five game series, but that's a testament to their quality - just one game, Game 3, wasn't close - the the other four were all settled by a goal, and incredibly, New York lost three overtime games, two of them in double OT.

The Rangers and Kings shake hands as is customary. No doubt, these New Yorkers have earned the respect and admiration of their opponents, their fans and the hockey world - in particular, Henrik Lundqvist - for whom there are no words to describe the performance that he put forward.

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 6:13, second overtime

Two Rangers collide - Boyle and St Louis - Kopitar is the beneficiary - he has the puck, then he feeds Doughty who shoots at Lundqvist who is able to make yet another save!

Now Williams has space and fires wide for LA!

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 8:45, second overtime

A Rangers turnover and the deadly Justin Williams has the puck - he snaps a shot from between the circles, right into the chest of Lundvist, who holds on!

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 9:58, second overtime

Lundqvist has now saved 44 shots, Quick 28. The post and the crossbar also have also had their fair share of stops.

Since we're halfway through, they'll work on the ice again.

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 10:41, second overtime

We're nearly half way through the second OT, which has flown by, few stops in play.

Now Nash had an open net but his shot is deflected by the stick of Voynov, completely and totally by accident - this game should be over, again!!

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 11:57, second overtime

There's a series of chances, the last a drive by Girardi that is deflected and hits the post!! The crowd roar as LA kill the penalty!

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 13:22, second overtime

There's 1:06 left in the man advantage after New York skated offsides.

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 14:50, second overtime

Klein skating to net now and a shot, sliding save by Quick, Boyle was nearly there for the rebound - but now we have a penalty - Clifford boards Dorsett, and New York will have a man advantage, a special teams situation, and they've had a great night in that department.

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 15:22, second overtime

Toffoli has a shot blocked by Stepan.

Then Kopitar leaves it for a trailiing Gaborik, a shot and relatively easy save for Lundqvist.

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 17:21, second overtime

St Louis throws it on net and Quick makes a save.

Williams on the other end now, a sweeping slap shot and Lundqvist makes the stop!

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 18:50, second overtime

Voynov shoots from the point and its deflected and it hit the post! Not sure who it was but several shots have already whistled by Lundvist!

It is midnight here on the East Coast of the United States and there is still ice hockey to be played, and possibly, a Stanley Cup to be celebrated.

How much do these guys have left to give?

How will it end?

I feel the exact same way, and we're not alone.

When heart-stopping is a fact, not a cliche.

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 1:01, first overtime

A shot from Girardi- Zuccarello deflects, save Quick, scramble in front of the net, the Rangers are digging but Quick has it!

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 1:22, first overtime

It's off the stick of Jeff Carter, up and into the bench.

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 2:48, first overtime

Pearson, turns around, shoots - wide! Chance after chance after chance for LA! The Kings have 13 shots and 11 chances - the Rangers have six shots.

Here's more - Boyle skates out in front of the net and centers - a scramble in front - Quick has it under his glove!

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 3:55, first overtime

Williams - a pair of rebounds in front of and at Lundqvist! Save, a block by Klein!!!! Henrik Lundqvist won't let his Rangers lose!

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 5:11, first overtime

A shot by Kreider is up and into the seats. Another chance to catch a breath...needed.

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 5:51, first overtime

Pearson shoots - save, he gets his own rebound, sweeps around the net and tries to stuff it into the net and nearly does! Lundvist may have gotten a tiny piece of it, or it's off the post. Either way one heck of a chance for LA!

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 7:09, first overtime

Richards throws it in, St Louis a shot and a save by Quick!

TOFFOLI HITS THE CROSSBAR FOR LA!!!!!! WOW!!! KING HENRIK WAS BEAT BUT WE PLAY ON!

I can't take much more of this. I'm going to pass out. I'm not joking.

Email:

Bob Tolley says:

Best sport on earth...full stop.

Well, if that's true, this game is one heck of an advertisement.

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 9:51, first overtime

Carter drives in at net and shoots low towards the corner but it's another Swedish save! Lewis a shot, and another save! Oh man...

Every time the whistle blows the hockey world catches its breath. We're halfway through, and they work on the ice a bit as the players grab some water.

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 11:13, first overtime

Mike Richards had a chance on net but Lundqvist was up to it. The crowd are air tight, pretending to cheer, but really they are all crapping themselves, as is anyone watching this game, which is one of the best I have ever seen.

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 13:06, first overtime

Penalty is over, and New York had several chances to end this game. In fact, I have no idea how we're still playing. Now LA are coming at New York!

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 15:06, first overtime

MCDONAGH HIT THE POST!!!!!! HIS HANDS WERE UP TO CELEBRATE!

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 16:06, first overtime

Stepan with a huge chance that misses the mark, then Kreider shoots, save off the skate of Quick! Now there is a penalty, it's on Voynov - power play New York!

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 16:49, first overtime

Lundqvist can't do this all night, he just can't, no one can, not even him - something has to give.

Now Hagelin, a backhander in front of the net is wide! So a chance for the Rangers, finally.

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 18:02, first overtime

Mike Richards a shot and a save by Lundqvist! Then a kick save - a redirect from Williams!

Kings come out like they left off in the third!

NBC TV

The booth is saying that the penalty on Zuccarello has no video evidence to support the call - that means the power play goal by Gaborik is somewhat controversial. But really, none of that matters now me thinks.

Email

Bob Tolley says:

Rangers have to shoot from the point more. Get some bodies up front and screen that little bitch Quick.

Yes, but first they have to stop playing like San Marino and skate forward a little bit, no?

So now the Stanley Cup waits, but for how long? Will it go back into the box or join the party on the Staples Center ice? And when will it happen? In seconds, minutes, today, tomorrow - it could go on forever - that's overtime. This is all too much really. I need some air, and a scoop of peanut butter.

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 0:21, 3rd period

The puck pops into the benches and the face-off will be just outside the Kings blue line.

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 0:47, 3rd period

Rick Nash has some ice to play with, but Brown closes him down takes him to the ice - time ticking away in regulation...

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 1:40, 3rd period

We are under two minutes to go...it's heart-stopping stuff from Staples.

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 3:42, 3rd period

Boyle with a shot for New York off the face off, wrapping his stick around Greene and a save by Quick! Very very tricky there, and great skill from the Rangers center.

Agree - this is absolutely incredible hockey. I don't know how it can get any better.

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 4:45, 3rd period

Yet another turnover by Giradi and big Jeff Carter is skating in front of the net - he unleashes a mammoth shot that's high and wide! Oh my! That is two big turnovers moments apart by New York - no wonder Lundqvist is furious - the Rangers must ice the puck, again!

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 5:40, 3rd period

We are getting into next goal wins territory.

A Rangers turnover - very sloppy - Williams has the puck - he shoots wide!!!

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 7:06, 3rd period

The Rangers need to just settle this thing down, regroup, and try to find a way to create some chances. The LA crowd say "We want the Cup!" so much so that they repeat the cheer multiple times.

Stralman a shot for NY - it's blocked!

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 8:46, 3rd period

The Kings are Flying - Martinez, streaking, skating, right down Broadway and unleashing a high slap shot that's pulled out of the air by Lundqvist again - he holds on but falls back, such was the force behind that bullet!

Dear Lord!!!!

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 9:26, 3rd period

The Kings have outshot New York 7-1 this period.

Mike Richards shoots wide of Lundqvist! This is starting to look like the third period of Game 4, with LA ambushing Henrik and the Rangers, who keep having to ice the puck, that's how intense their pressure is.

E-mail

Michael Aston says:

You know the swede can't put on enough pounds to save NY.

Rangers 2-2 Kings, 10:52, 3rd period

Now we are into that thing they call the nitty gritty. A crazed crowd that wants to see the Stanley Cup are very very loud. How will the Rangers respond? It's getting hot in the kitchen.

Rangers 2-1 Kings, 12:21, 3rd period

The crowd senses the desperation of the Kings rush - they're making noise. And why not - Muzin a shot from point - off the glove of Lundvist again - it pops out, henrik is down, the puck is in front and now the Swede finds it!

Now a penalty coming up - it's on Mats Zuccarello he's done for tripping and a power play coming up for LA! Pandemonium at Staples!

Rangers 2-1 Kings, 12:35, 3rd period

Doughty tries one on but Lundqvist casually turns it aside. The Swede has stopped 18 shots so far tongiht, two this period. The big rush is coming from LA, defintely...

Is this it?

Mitchell a shot from point - it's wide! Another shot from Mitchell - it's off the glove of Lundqvist - he can't find the puck! McDonagh clears it away OH MY!!!

Rangers 2-1 Kings, 13:52, 3rd period

Gaborik re-directs a shot from Greene at the point, getting just a bit of wood on the puck, and it's a slow roll to Lundqvist who has it and covers up. A tad bit tricky for the Swede since it was kind of a change up...

If the Kings turn this around, they're really gonna need those drinks.

Rangers 2-1 Kings, 16:24, 3rd period

The teams fight for possession in the Rangers zone - it's brutal in the corner - a lot of intensity early on her in the third period.

Fancy a look at the shorthanded goal that put New York on top? Woop, here it is:

OK, well, Rangers fans, or at least one Matt Stillwell, need to slow down some. Not only is there a whole period to go in Game 5, but if New York should skate out of town with a win tonight, there are some tall, rough hills still to climb before any kind of completely and totally insane history is made...

But this is a good example of what hope means to people. Right now there's hope for New York, and it's powerful.

Rangers 2-1 Kings, end of 2nd period

Well how about that? The Rangers special teams dominates the Kings over the last four minutes or so and helps the Rangers take the lead - a power play goal, and then a shorthanded strike!

The tie-breaker isn't quite the buzzer-beater that Jeff Carter converted with tenths of a second left in the first period of Game 3, but it comes with under 30 ticks left in the second period here and has a similar effect. The Staples Center is a morgue.

Rangers 1-1 Kings, 1:40, 2nd period

Boyle blocks the shot of Voynov's! Now a shot by Kopitar - the puck is off Lundqvist - it's loose! Then the Swede is able to locate it and covers up! Whaooo nelly! There's 1:20 left in the power play.

Rangers 1-1 Kings, 2:23, 2nd period

Penalty - Dominic Moore is guilty and sent away for hooking Willie Mitchell! Bad penalty to take there with New York gaining momentum here.

Rangers 1-1 Kings, 3:14, 2nd period

Richards picks up a point on the Rangers goal. Kreider had plenty of net after the strike of a centering pass opened it up.

Clifford is skating to the net on the other end, a power move, sliding across the crease shooting twice, the second rebound is pounced on by Lundqvist, who is picking up steam here!...It's kinda quiet in LA.

Dwight King is in the box - his stick was up on Zuccarello. Big moments for New York.

Rangers 0-1 Kings, 5:53, 2nd period

Greene from point - a brief rebound but Lundqvist has it. The Kings have seven shots this period, Rangers have three.

Here's a penalty, but then NBC go right to break! What's up with that?

Rangers 0-1 Kings, 8:28, 2nd period

Scramble in front of the net - Boyle is looking for the puck, he's on it but so is Quick - Willie Mitchell tied him up! That was a huge chance off a rebound for New York, who need to create more chances like that one.

There's not a lot of shots on both sides, right now it's a real tight checking hockey. Stick with the process, stay high percentage, sooner or later somebody makes a mistake and you jump on it.

Rangers coach Alain Vigneault speaking to NBC TV moments ago.

Yes, his turnovers have been noticeable, but at least he had that hit on Brown, who is a total animal.

Rangers 0-1 Kings, 9:58, 2nd period

Girardi with a big hit on Brown, then the Rangers defenseman pushes him down for good measure! The physical play picking up in the second period.

It goes without saying that the next goal will be absolutely huge, but I think I will say it anyway.

The next goal will be absolutely huge.

Rangers 0-1 Kings, 11:05, 2nd period

Mats Zuccarello shoots, right at Quick.

Back to the oher end, Clifford has a crack at Lundqvist after a quality fake, he shoots to the far side and another save by the Swede!

Rangers 0-1 Kings, 11:50, 2nd period

Another turnover by Dan Girardi! He's done that alot, or at least it seems. Toffoli's shot is turned away by Lundvist!

Rangers 0-1 Kings, 12:34, 2nd period

A Rangers turnover! Stroll pounces on the puck, shoots off the chest of Lundqvist, rebound, King is there but the puck moves away from his stick and through his legs!

A touch later, Carter a wrap around and another save by Lundvist!!! Oh boy, it should have been 2-0 right then and there! New York survive...

Rangers 0-1 Kings, 14:20, 2nd period

Dustin Brown on the near circle, a shot, and Henrik blocks the five hole at the last possible moment.

Rangers 0-1 Kings, 16:16, 2nd period

John Moore shoots, Richards re-directs the puck in front of the net, it goes wide! Huge chance there for New York who are controlling the play right now in LA.

Rangers 0-1 Kings, 17:30, 2nd period

Dustin Brown snaps from 20 feet out, right into the awaiting glove of Lundqvist. Simple.

Rangers 0-1 Kings, 18:50, 2nd period

As Kings fans file in from the bathroom break, the Rangers flush this power play opportunity down the toilet. Teams at even strength.

To be fair, it always seems harder to get a man-advantage going after the break...

Here is the Justin Williams goal that gave LA a 1-0 first period lead.

Stats

Take away the Kings goal and you've got one even game - of course you can't do that, so the thought is a little bit on the silly side. Still, you know what I mean. The Kings have outshot New York 7-6, lead the Rangers in hits 10-8, but the Kings have given away the puck six times to New York's three - a stat could bode well if the Blueshirts can find away to capitalize

In other news, someone on NBC just talked about Lundqvist and how great his suits are, and that backs up what I said earlier. I'm sure glad that I'm not alone in recognizing a true clothes horse when I see one.

Rangers 0-1 Kings, 01:12, 1st period

But wait, now Drew Doughty thrusts his stick up at Stepan, and he goes for cross-checking, so there goes their man-advantage. We have 4-4 hockey for 43 seconds.

Rangers 0-1 Kings, 02:24, 1st period

A shot high and wide by Kevin Klein but Pouliot hits Quick who is down and loses his mask on the play, in what is a little bit of a Mad Max Beyond Thunder Dome moment!

Who runs Barter Town?

That's an interference penalty and the Kings have a power play.

Quick seems to be alright, FYI...

Rangers 0-1 Kings, 03:48, 1st period

Stepan behind the net, he finds Nash who is unable to get anything on the puck, and so the mystery behind the disappearance of Nash continues to haunt Rangers fans.

Michael Aston writes:

Gota feeling this is going to be a thrashing, a major and total beat down... After watching the Spurs humiliate the Heat and Oranje murder Spain...this has a horror show Full moon Friday the 13th nightmare for NY written all over it.....then again, triple OT would be fun too

Triple OT? Now you're scaring me!

Rangers 0-1 Kings, 04:13, 1st period

Now Stepan wrists one towards Quick who can't hold on to the initial shot but then pounces on it to avoid any further skirmishes frm an oncoming Kreider.

Rangers 0-1 Kings, 06:34, 1st period

Pouliot leaves it for Brassard who shoots the puck wide of Quick.

Here come the Kings, Williams skates towards net and unleashes a shot and that goes low and wide! He's a dangerous man is that Williams fellow.

Rangers 0-1 Kings, 08:20, 1st period

Anze Kopitar feeds Alec Martine from behind the net, through Derek Dorsett and off of Lundqvist.

You just got to go shift by shift, don't get ahead of yourself.

Kings coach Darryl Sutter...a word from the wise.

Rangers 0-1 Kings, 09:01, 1st period

Hagelin puts the puck on net, Quick saves. Now Stralman with a shot, Nash deflects the puck but Quick is on it! A flurry of Rangers chances here before the puck hits off a stick and into the crowd to slow them down.

Good sequence from New York who have reacted well to the early deficit.

Rangers 0-1 Kings, 10:10, 1st period

Richards with a hard slap shot, its high and wide!

New York have one shot on this power play, which is now over as the Staples Center crowd get on their feet to salute their men.

Rangers 0-1 Kings, 12:12, 1st period

On the other end, Martin St Louis has the puck off a Kings turnover and is denied - the stick of Quick gets in the way of a potential game-tying goal.

But there's a penalty on the Kings captain Dustin Brown - New York will have a shot at a man-advantage coming up.

Rangers 0-0 Kings, 14:22, 1st period

Teams at even strength.

Benoit is going to wrap it around - no he's not, he's going to throw it into the crease - but nobody is home and so there's nothing doing there on that play.

Replays show that Doughty's shot was deflected off of Dominic Moore. The Rangers need to get out of the way or make a full block on a shot - it's the in between stuff that will kill them.

Rangers 0-0 Kings, 16:33, 1st period

Rangers look solid on the kill through the first minute, clearing the puck twice.

Now Doughty turns around, fires and Lundqvist makes the stop - there may have been a deflection there but the Swede was on it!

Rangers 0-0 Kings, 18:10, 1st period

Stop, start, stop, start, penalty! Rick Nash hooks Jake Muzzin and the Kings go on the power play - that's news, eh?

National Anthem

Pia Toscano is back, and she is better than her first effort this series. I give her a 7.5/10, which is pretty damn good by my sky-high standards.

Drew Doughty telling NBC TV in the US On what the Kings need to do to win:

Play LA Kings hockey. If we play the way we know we can we can beat this team.

Well that's fair enough I guess. If they play Edmonton Oilers hockey they won't have a chance.

Henrik Lundqvist

Let's be honest, the guy is extremely handsome, and wears an amazing suit. Where can I get suits like that?

He's also ridiculous between the pipes, and during these playoffs, he's 5-0 in elimination games. Over his career, King Henrik is 11-2 in his last 13 win-or-go-home games. All this means that as good as LA are, it's going to take one hell of an effort to hoist that Stanley Cup tonight.

Wondering how we got here tonight? Here are highlights of the Kings and Rangers 45 playoff games....or just the Wednesday Game 4.

Unlicensed or not, this is s sports no-no. If I am a Kings fan, this sort of thing makes me extremely nervous...but then I look over at Drew Doughty, the best defenseman on the planet and feel a bit better.

Predictions

The Kings played what was one of the most insane 30 minutes of hockey I have ever witnessed on Wednesday, and somehow it wasn't enough - how we are here tonight is just cray cray. There is a really good chance the Rangers will be completely and totally steamrolled tonight - it's either going to be a blowout or absurdly tight - there's not going to be any in between. So I am going to put my money on a King, Henrik, to put on an encore and send this thing back to New York, mostly because I am not ready for the season to end. Is that so wrong?

New York 3-2 Los Angeles is your score tonight. What's yours?