KINGS ADVANCE TO FINALS WITH WIN

3 Kings at 3 Blackhawks (no not a typo)

Series tied 3-3 coming in

Elimination game for BOTH teams.

   In game 7’s the Kings might be the best team in major professional sports.

   With an Alec Martinez goal at 5:47 of overtime the Kings advanced to the NHL finals for the 2nd time in 3 years. “We’ve battled back so many times this year and so many times in these playoffs, we said, ‘Why not again today?'” said Justin Williams, who had a goal and an assist. “It was a total team effort, every single guy here giving everything they’ve got.” The Kings improved to 7-0 in elimination games and 3-0 in road game 7’s this year with the 5-4 OT win.

   With the win the Kings became the first team to ever make it to the finals and play 21 games in the first three rounds. The only other teams to even come close were the ’02 Avalanche and the ’93 Maple Leafs. They each played 21 games in 3 rounds but they couldn’t advance to the finals.

  Tyler Toffoli had 1 goal and an assist and Justin Williams also had a goal and an assist for the Kings. With the 3 points Williams became the highest-scoring player in Game 7 history.

The Kings also got 37 saves out of Johnathon Quick. “It’s just a great group to be part of,” Quick said. “I feel very fortunate to be with the guys. Obviously our journey’s not done yet and we’ve got a lot of work here coming up. New York’s an awesome team. They beat great teams, so they’re battle-tested as well so we’ve got a lot to get ready for.”

They find a way, L.A., they’re never out of a hockey game, they’re never out of a series,” Blackhawks coach Quenneville said. “They’re dangerous.”