Overtime continues to be kind to the Kings, who earned a win at Staples Center in the first game of the Stanley Cup Final against the Rangers.
Williams wins it, as usual

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsOh, Dan Girardi. You fumbled the puck in the defensive zone, and obviously it was Justin Williams who was there to capitalize on your mistake.
Tanner Pearson puts the pressure on, Girardi with a failed clear, Mike Richards with the assist, and Williams with the wide open chance at the net. No chance, Henrik Lundqvist.
Read Article >Brassard completely oversells a legit penalty

ElsaThere’s no doubt that it was worthy of a penalty, but Twitter wasn’t buying whatever else Brassard was selling.
In other news, the Canadian Olympic ice dancing team just filled an open roster spot.
Read Article >Rangers fans pack Bryant Park for Game 1


There are definitely worse ways to spend an early summer evening.
And it seems that the atmosphere is quite jumping, especially after the Rangers took an early 1-0 lead.
Read Article >Dustin Brown victim of a dangerous hit by Brassard

Adam Hunger-USA TODAY SportsBrassard was sent to the penalty box for two minutes, but the Kings were unable to take advantage on the power play.
Read Article >Doughty ties game with highlight reel goal

Harry HowGo ahead and add that one to the Conn Smythe campaign. That goal was Doughty’s fifth of the playoffs.
Read Article >Stralman levels Kyle Clifford with huge check

Victor DecolongonKyle Clifford is a very large man and Stralman launched him a good two feet off the ice with that check. Now that’s impressive.
Read Article >Catch up on a wild first period

Richard Mackson-USA TODAY SportsThe Los Angeles Kings decided to pick up where they left off in the Western Conference Final, getting themselves into a wild, back-and-forth game to kick off the Stanley Cup Final against the New York Rangers.
The two teams combined for three goals on 27 shots in the first period on Wednesday night, with all three goals coming during one sensational four-minute stretch.
Read Article >Pouliot opens scoring in Game 1

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY SportsIt was Pouliot’s fourth goal of the postseason.
The Rangers added to the lead less than two minutes later when Carl Hagelin scored a shorthanded goal. You know, maybe Darryl Sutter should have been a little more concerned about his team’s start.
Read Article >Darryl Sutter thinks his team looks fine, Pierre

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsBut the guy has great comedic timing when he’s being blunt. So when NBC reporter Pierre McGuire told him that the Kings looked sluggish to start Game 1, Sutter straight up rejected his observation.
Stay amazing, Darryl Sutter. And get some caffeine.
Read Article >Gretzky with the ceremonial puck drop

Derek LeungWayne Gretzky spent 10 of his 19 NHL seasons playing for the Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers, scoring 303 of his 894 career goals with the two teams.
With Kings and Rangers facing off in the Stanley Cup Final this year, it was only natural that Gretzky, the greatest player in NHL history, would on hand to drop the ceremonial first puck before Game 1 on Wednesday night.
Read Article >All set for Game 1

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsBoth teams are deep up front with four lines that can threaten to put the puck in the net, but the Kings are currently the most potent team in hockey, scoring at an amazing rate of 3.48 goals per game in the postseason. Whether they’ll be able to keep that up against a strong New York defense and an even better New York goaltender remains to be seen, but the Rangers certainly have their work cut out for them in stopping LA’s offensive output.
Game 1, Stanley Cup Final
8 p.m. ET | Staples Center | Los Angeles, Calif.
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