Here’s Our Top 10 Championship Moments From Los Angeles
By Keith Rivas
2014 Stanley Cup Final: Kings vs Rangers
Jun 13, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Alec Martinez (27) scores the game-winning goal past New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) during the second overtime period in game five of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
This was the best championship run that we have seen from the city of Los Angeles ever — even better than the three-peat Los Angeles Lakers run at the beginning of the century.
Why?
The Kings did something that only a couple NHL teams — and by a couple, I mean less than five — have been able to do and something that no NBA team — yeah, zero — have done before.
They came back from an 0-3 series deficit.
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Not only did they beat out the San Jose Sharks in a series that everyone thought was over after Game 3 in the first round, it was the beginning of the end for the rest of the Western Conference.
Los Angeles went on to win a road Game 7 against the Anaheim Ducks in round two and then finished off the West by shocking Chicago in a Game 7 win at the United Center.
By the time they reached the Stanley Cup Final, they’d finally achieved home ice advantage.
But this time it was against the New York Rangers, of all teams.
New York’s goalie Henrik Lundqvist, better known as the ‘King of New York’, saw his dream collide with reality as the Kings were just too good to beat.
The series ended in Game 5 following Alec Martinez’ game-winning double overtime shot off a rebound to the right side of Lundqvist.
As you can imagine, Los Angeles erupted.
It’s the latest piece to the city’s championship puzzle, which is all the more reason that the Kings’ 2014 title run is the best the city has ever seen.
But let’s not focus too much on before, as important as it is.
Only because the best is yet to come.
Next: Poll: What's Your Favorite LA Title Run?