Rangers Fall; the Kings Are Your Stanley Cup Champions Once Again

The Rangers and Kings had to go into extra periods for the final game of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Image via USA Today Sports

In 1999, Madison Square Garden diehards felt the heartbreak of losing in a Finals series when the Knicks got beat by the Spurs in the NBA Finals—completing their late '90s run without a ring. New York is reminded of its pain 15 years later; the Rangers lost Game 5 of the Stanley Cup to the Kings, 3-2.

Like the first two games, a third quarter lapse led to the Rangers' downfall. Marian Gaborik found the back of the net with 12:04 left to tie the game. The two opponents once again had to head to double overtime to settle it. 

After a series of close calls (again, it seems you're going to need the touch of God to get past Jonathan Quick), Alec Martinez shot one past Henrik Lundqvist off a rebound to clinch the Kings' second Stanley Cup in three years.

New Yorkers can take pride in how the Rangers didn't go down without a fight, especially Lundqvist with his 48 saves. Sadly it's going to be a long wait until next season without that Stanley Cup and the image of Lundqvist's handsome mug afflicted with disappointment fresh in fans' minds.

Nothing but respect for these two guys who played their hearts out tonight. @HLundqvist30 @JonathanQuick32 pic.twitter.com/ImN7E35dBt

It's gonna be OK, man.

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