Reign On: Los Angeles Kings 2014 NHL Stanley Cup Champions

As the NHL teams rearrange their rosters, I wanted to take a look back at the exciting Game 4 and Game 5 of the 2014 Stanley Cup finals that showed the determination of two teams. New York worked hard to win Game 4 in New York with the hope of coming all the way from their 0-3 series deficit to give New York its first Stanley Cup celebration in 20 years. Los Angeles had game 7s throughout each of their playoff series and did not want to leave the game to the momentum-neutral finale.

Game 4: At Madison Square Garden, the New York Rangers were facing a Los Angeles Kings team that had a 3-0 lead in the series. The Stanley Cup was nearby, awaiting the outcome of the game. As it turned out, the richest prize in hockey would not be awarded this night as the Rangers team mounted a comeback to steal one game in this series.  The New York forwards put LA goalie Jonathan Quick to the test early on with shots on net. Penalty killing for the Kings had to be good throughout the night. Madison Square Garden fans were energized when Benoit Pouliot and Martin St. Louis put the Rangers on the scoreboard through hard-fought goals. LA’s Dustin Brown would score off a breakaway chance to cut the lead to one, but that would be all his team could get past New York netminder Henrik Lundqvist. For the rest of the game, the home team used their solid defensive game to hold off the Kings. As time expired on the clock, the 2-1 win was further proof that the Rangers could regroup when their playoff future was on the line.

Game 5: Back at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, The Kings prepared to finish off this series and avoid a momentum shift that could alter the course of the series. New York came into Game 5 hoping to build upon the work started at the Garden. When the puck dropped, the Rangers had a gritty showdown with the Kings. The momentum shifted throughout the game. Tied at 2 goals at the end of regulation, what followed was two exciting sessions of overtime. Los Angeles and New York played with heart and determination, but it would be LA’s Alec Martinez who would score the game-winning goal for his team’s second Stanley cup in 2 years.

After the game, the hometown fans celebrated. The Conn Smythe Award for Most Valuable Player in the playoffs went to Los Angeles Kings player Justin Williams. After the Conn Smythe was handed out, Commissioner Gary Bettman called for Kings’ team captain Dustin Brown to come pick up the Stanley Cup. Everyone on the team got to skate around with the trophy as the fans looked on.

The NHL is now in the off-season.  The 30 teams prepare their rosters for another long journey. Free agency is in full swing as players are negotiating or being traded. Young players have been drafted…and fans watch the proceedings and countdown till October’s opening night ceremonies.