Stanley Cup Final: Kings win second title with 3-2 win over Rangers

Kings 3, Rangers 2 (final)

Alec Martinez buried a rebound 14 minutes 43 seconds into the second overtime to give the Kings their second Stanley Cup title.

Kings 2, Rangers 2 (12:00 left in second overtime)

The Kings and Rangers have each had quality chances to score to start the second overtime in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final tonight at Staples Center.

Kings center Jeff Carter redirected a shot by right wing Marian Gaborik past the right leg of Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist and off the post.

Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick made a couple of quality stops on Rangers shots by right wing Martin St. Louis and defenseman Kevin Kline

The Rangers fail to score on a power play after Kings forward Kyle Clifford is sent off for boarding forward Derek Dorsett. Both teams are at full strength with 10 minutes left in the second overtime.

Kings 2, Rangers 2 (end of first overtime)

The Kings and New York Rangers have retreated to their neutral corners after a chaotic first overtime in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final tonight at Staples Center.

The score remains tied, 2-2, but not because of a lack of effort.

The Kings made a big push at the start of overtime, but Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist made three quality saves, including a toe save on a shot by Kings center Mike Richards.

Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh hit the post with a shot during a power play six minutes into overtime, the puck skidding behind goaltender Jonathan Quick and almost clipping his skate.

The Kings had some bad-luck metal as well, as rookie forward Tyler Toffoli hit the crossbar 13 minutes into overtime. Winger Justin Williams had back-to-back chances 15 minutes into overtime. Lundqvist was up to the task on each.

Kings 2, Rangers 2 (end of third period)

The Kings, as has happened often during the Stanley Cup playoffs, found some life when they appeared dead.

The New York Rangers took a 2-1 lead into the third period, dominating play in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final tonight at Staples Center. The Kings were not done.

Kings right wing Marian Gaborik’s power-play goal eight minutes into the third period sent the game into overtime for the third time in the best-of-seven series.

Rangers left wing Mats Zuccarello was sent off for tripping. Kings defenseman Drew Doughty fired a shot that goaltender Henrik Lundqvist stopped. The rebound fell in the crease and Gaborik poked the puck between Lundqvist’s legs to tie the score, 2-2.

Gaborik has a league-leading 14 goals in the playoffs.

Jake Muzzin nearly won the game with six seconds left, but his shot went just wide of an open net.

Kings 2, Rangers 2 (12:04 left in third period)

The Kings were applying plenty of pressure, and it got them even in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final tonight at Staples Center.

With Rangers left wing Mats Zuccarello off for tripping, Kings defenseman Drew Doughty fired a shot that goaltender Henrik Lundqvist stopped. The rebound fell in the crease and right wing Marian Gaborik poked the puck between Lundqvist’s legs.

It was Gaborik’s 14th goal of the playoffs, the most this postseason.

Rangers 2, Kings 1 (end of second period)

The Rangers have dominated play, and finally turned that effort into a lead late in the second period in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Center Brian Boyle’s short-handed goal left the Rangers with a 2-1 lead heading into the third period.

The Rangers have had the better of play through two periods, but the Kings were up, 1-0, on a Justin Williams goal only six minutes into the first period. But it was a tenuous lead.

Goaltender Jonathan Quick has been fighting to control the puck all night. He has made quality saves but has left juicy rebounds. The Kings have covered up for him with strong play in front of the net. Defenseman Willie Mitchell tied up Boyle, who had an open net on a rebound chance midway through the second period.

The Rangers kept pressing and it paid off.

Defenseman Ryan McDonagh slipped in from the blue line and found left wing Chris Krieder near the post. Krieder redirected McDonagh’s pass 15 minutes into the period. It ended a string of 12 consecutive power plays without a goal for the Rangers.

Boyle gave the Rangers hope of a Game 6 in New York on Monday. Boyle coolly brought the puck into the Kings’ zone, crossed the ice and put the puck past Quick and into the upper right corner of the net with 25 seconds left in the period.

Rangers 2, Kings 1 (25 seconds left in second period)

Power play goal … check.

Shorth-handed goal … check.

Rangers center Brian Boyle coolly brought the puck into the Kings’ zone, crossed the ice and put the puck past Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick and into the upper right corner of the net.

Kings 1, Rangers 1 (4:23 left in second period)

The Rangers end their power play drought.

Defenseman Ryan McDonagh slipped in from the blue line and found left wing Chris Krieder across the crease at the far post. Krieder redirected McDonagh’s pass into the net, ending a string of 12 consecutive power plays without a goal for the Rangers.

Kings 1, Rangers 0 (6:00 left in second period)

A free-flowing period continues to produce scoring opportunities for both teams, but as has been the case in the last two games, goaltenders Jonathan Quick of the Kings and Henrik Lundqvist of the Rangers have been stellar.

The Rangers, though, will be on the offensive after Kings forward Dwight King is sent off for high sticking left wing Mats Zuccarello.

Kings 1, Rangers 0 (end of first period)

The Kings are 40 minutes from their second Stanley Cup championship.

Justin Williams' goal after six minutes has left the Kings with a 1-0 lead heading into the second period in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final tonight at Staples Center.

Play was fierce from the start, with a handful of pileups in front of both goal creases. The Kings benefited from one.

Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist stopped a shot from the blue line by Kings defenseman Willie Mitchell but couldn't control the rebound. Dwight King and Jarret Stoll pounced, with both picking at the puck. It rolled free and Justin Williams swooped in to it into the net.

It was the ninth goal and 25th point for Williams during the playoffs.

Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick was equally as busy, but kept the red light off. That effort included a cat-like reaction to knock away a shot by Martin St. Louis with his blocker.

Quick made seven saves. He also paid the price, as forward Beniot Pouliot caught him with an elbow. Pouliot got two minutes for goaltender interference. Quick likely got a headache.

Kings 1, Rangers 0 (13:46 left in first period)

It looked like a Kings’ line meeting, one held in the face of Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.

Lundqvist stopped a shot by Kings defenseman Willie Mitchell, but forward Dwight King and center Jarret Stoll picked at the rebound. Winger Justin Williams then swooped in and knocked the puck into the net to open the scoring in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final tonight at Staples Center.

It was Williams’ ninth goal and 25th point of the playoffs.

The Kings, still one game away from winning the NHL championship, will meet the New York Rangers in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final at Staples Center today at 5 p.m. Join us as we cover the game live.

The Rangers avoided a sweep by defeating the Kings, 2-1, in Game 4, despite a barrage of shots by L.A. After Dustin Brown scored 8:46 into the second period to pull the Kings to within 2-1, the Kings outshot the Rangers, 26-3, through the final 31:14 minutes of the game and 15-1 in the third period. But nothing could get past Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist, who was Jonathan Quick-like in the net.

"One mistake and the season is over," Lundqvist said. "You're definitely aware of that, when you go out to these types of games where you know everything can be over after this period or the next two periods."

Kings fans can only hope everything is over after three periods tonight, so they can watch their team hoist the Stanley Cup on their home ice.