The 2014 Stanley Cup Final, commonly known as the 2014 Stanley Cup Finals,
was the championship series of the National Hockey League's 2013–14 season,
and the culmination of the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs. This was the 121st year of
the Stanley Cup's presentation. The League realigned its divisions prior to
the season, and changed the structure of the playoffs, but the championship
series remained the same. The Western Conference champion Los Angeles Kings
defeated the Eastern Conference champion New York Rangers four games to one to
win their second championship in franchise history, marking the first
time since 2007 that the championship series was determined in fewer than six
games. Their Stanley Cup–winning run of 26 playoff games was the longest of any
Stanley Cup–winning team in history. Los Angeles had home ice advantage in
the series, as the Kings finished with a better regular season record than the
Rangers. The series started on June 4 and ended on June 13 with the Kings
winning their second Stanley Cup in three seasons. It was the first meeting
between teams from New York City and Los Angeles for a major professional sports
championship since the Yankees and the Dodgers played in the 1981 World Series.
The year 1981 was also the last time the Rangers and the Kings had met in the
post-season, where the Rangers eliminated the Kings during the
preliminary round of the playoffs. Teams
= New York Rangers = This was New York's 11th appearance in
the Stanley Cup Finals, and they were seeking their fifth Cup championship
overall and their first one since 1994, 20 years earlier. Since their win in
1994, their only other post-season highlights were reaching the Conference
Finals in 1997 and 2012. The Rangers entered the season after
essentially swapping head coaches with the Vancouver Canucks: the Rangers and
the Canucks fired John Tortorella and Alain Vigneault, respectively, and then
coincidentally hired the other's former coach. While Vancouver, under
Tortorella's first year, failed to make the playoffs, Vigneault guided New York
to 96 regular season points and second place in the new Metropolitan Division.
En route, the Rangers made a major trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 5,
acquiring Tampa Bay's captain Martin St. Louis in exchange for their own captain
Ryan Callahan. The transaction happened as Callahan and the Rangers were not
close to terms on a new contract, while St. Louis was unhappy at his initial
omission from the Olympics by Steve Yzerman.
In the first round of the playoffs, the Rangers eliminated the Philadelphia
Flyers in seven games. Then, in the second round against the Pittsburgh
Penguins, New York overcame a 3–1 game deficit to win the series. In the
Eastern Conference Finals, the Rangers defeated the Montreal Canadiens in six
games to capture their first Eastern Conference championship in 20 years. St.
Louis' mother had died during the second round of the playoffs which caused his
Rangers teammates to rally around him, as they won the last three games against
the Penguins to advance, followed by winning the first two games in Montreal
despite struggling there in the regular season. In the process, the Rangers
became the first team ever to play two full seven-game series in the first two
rounds of the playoffs and still reach the Stanley Cup Finals, a feat later
matched and exceeded in the same postseason by the Kings.
Due to trading away captain Ryan Callahan and not naming a successor for
the remainder of the season, Rangers were the first team since the 1972–73
Chicago Black Hawks to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals without a captain.
By reaching the Finals with the Rangers, Mats Zuccarello made history when he
became the first Norwegian to play in the Stanley Cup Finals.
= Los Angeles Kings = Los Angeles made their third appearance
in the Stanley Cup Finals and sought to capture their second Cup championship
after winning it in 2012. They became the most recent team to make three
straight Conference Finals, after the Detroit Red Wings did so in 2007–09.
Before 2012, the Kings struggled in the post-season for much of their existence,
except for the 1993 playoffs when they advanced beyond the second round for the
first time in club history and went on to lose in the Cup Final.
Much of the core from the Kings' 2012 championship remained on the team. Los
Angeles made a late regular season trade on March 5, acquiring former Ranger
Marian Gaborik from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Matt Frattin and
two draft picks. The Kings then finished the regular season in third place in the
Pacific Division with 100 points. Los Angeles then needed three
consecutive game sevens to advance to the Cup Finals. The Kings became the
first team in NHL history to win three Game Sevens on the road in a single
postseason. The team became the fourth team in NHL playoff history to win a
seven-game series after losing the first three games, defeating the San Jose
Sharks in the first round. The Kings eliminated their local rival Anaheim
Ducks next, despite squandering a 2–0 series lead and then facing a 3–2 series
deficit. In a rematch of the 2013 Western Conference Final, the Kings
defeated the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks in the
Western Conference Final who had forced a seventh game after trailing the series
3–1. Like their 2012 championship series, the
Kings' 2014 Cup Finals was marked by a 3–0 series start of winning the first
two games in overtime and the third as a shutout. With their 2014 Stanley Cup
win, the Kings have the distinction of winning the first championship after the
League's realignment. Their 2012 championship made them also the final
team to win the Cup in the League's last full season before the realignment, as
the 2012–13 season was shortened by a lockout. The Kings played a record 26
playoff games to win the Stanley Cup, the most ever for a champion. Both the
Philadelphia Flyers and the Calgary Flames played 26 playoff games in one
year, but both lost in the Final. The series
Number in parenthesis represents the player's total in goals or assists to
that point of the entire four rounds of the playoffs
= Game one = The Kings overcame a two-goal deficit to
defeat the Rangers 3–2 in the first game. New York built their 2–0 lead in
the first period by scoring 1:42 apart. Benoit Pouliot scored first on a
breakaway after stealing the puck from Drew Doughty, then shooting past
Jonathan Quick. Carl Hagelin then recorded a short-handed goal, as his
shot was initially blocked by Quick but then rebounded off of Slava Voynov's
skate into the net. The Kings' comeback began with Kyle Clifford's goal late in
the first period. Clifford shot it in from near the left post after receiving
a pass from Jeff Carter. Doughty tied the game in the second period, beating
Henrik Lundqvist from the left circle. In the third period, the Kings outshot
the Rangers, 20–3, but neither Lundqvist nor Quick allowed any goals. In the
final minute of regulation, Quick stopped Hagelin's shot on a breakaway,
and seconds later Lundqvist barely kept Carter's wrap-around shot from crossing
the goal line. In overtime, Daniel Girardi turned over the puck in the New
York zone, leading Mike Richards to pass the puck to Justin Williams, who then
put the puck over Lundqvist to win the game.
= Game two = The Kings overcame three two-goal
deficits to defeat the Rangers 5–4 in double overtime. Including their game
seven victory in the Western Conference Final against the Chicago Blackhawks,
Los Angeles became the first team in Stanley Cup playoffs history to overcome
three consecutive two-goal deficits. With the first game also going to
overtime, it marked the third consecutive year that the first two
games of the Stanley Cup Finals went to overtime. Ryan McDonagh and Mats
Zuccarello scored in the first period to give the Rangers a 2–0 lead. Jarret
Stoll then cut New York's lead in half at 1:46 of the second period. The teams
then traded power play goals with Martin St. Louis scoring for the Rangers and
Willie Mitchell for the Kings. Eleven seconds after Mitchell's goal, Derick
Brassard gave New York a 4–2 lead after miscommunication between Mitchell and
Jonathan Quick behind the Kings net lead to a turnover. Dwight King's goal to cut
the Rangers' lead to 4–3 early in the third period was controversial. King and
McDonagh were fighting for position in front of Henrik Lundqvist when Matt
Greene shot the puck from the right point. King made contact with Lundqvist
in the crease as he touched the puck before it went into the net but no
goaltender interference was called: the referee ruled that the contact occurred
after the puck already sailed past Lundqvist. Marian Gaborik then tied the
game with an unassisted goal at 7:36 of the third during a scramble in front of
the New York net. At 10:26 of double overtime, Dustin Brown deflected
Mitchell's shot from the left point into the net to give the Kings the 5–4 win.
This gave the Kings a 2–0 series lead as the series shifted to New York, despite
never leading in either game during regulation time in Los Angeles.
= Game three = The Kings won 3–0, led by the
goaltending of Jonathan Quick, who shut out the Rangers on 32 shots. The first
period was marked by tight checking, and only nine shots were recorded by the two
teams. Mats Zuccarello nearly scored for the Rangers at 12:37 of the first, but
his shot went off the post and Quick's stick to stay out. With one second to
play, Jeff Carter's shot from the slot deflected off a Rangers defenceman past
Henrik Lundqvist to put the Kings ahead by one. In the second period, Jake
Muzzin scored from the point on another deflection off a Rangers player. Mike
Richards scored later in the period, on a two-on-one, his attempted pass
deflecting off a Rangers player back to him, leaving Lundqvist out of position
to make the stop. Meanwhile, Quick stopped all 17 shots the Rangers put on
the net in the second, including a stick save on Derick Brassard when he appeared
to be well out of position to make the save. There was no scoring in the third
and the Kings took a three games to none series lead, putting the Rangers on the
brink of elimination. = Game four =
The Rangers avoided becoming the first team since 1998 to get swept in the
Finals by defeating the Kings 2–1. In a turn-around from game three, the Kings
outshot the Rangers and lost as Rangers netminder Henrik Lundqvist saved 40 out
of 41 shots. Like games one and two, the Rangers scored the first two goals, on
goals by Benoit Pouliot and Martin St. Louis. Dustin Brown scored for the Kings
in the second period to cut the margin to 2–1. In the third period, the Kings
put pressure on the Rangers and nearly tied the score when the puck slid past
Lundqvist to rest on the goal line before being cleared away. Earlier, in
the first period, another shot by the Kings also rested on the goal line and
did not go in. In all, the Kings outshot the Rangers 15–1 in the third, but did
not score. = Game five =
The Kings clinched their second Stanley Cup in franchise history, their first
since 2012, by defeating the Rangers 3–2 on home ice. This was the first Stanley
Cup–clinching game since 2010 to be determined in overtime, and the first
time that the home team had the overtime Stanley Cup winner since 1980. The Kings
played 26 playoff games on their road to the trophy, more than any previous
Stanley Cup–winning team. The Kings grabbed the lead in the first
period with an even-strength goal by Justin Williams. In the second, Chris
Kreider converted on a Rangers power play before Brian Boyle scored a
short-handed goal to put the road team up by one with 30 seconds left. In the
third, Marian Gaborik tied the game at two on a Kings power play. No more goals
were scored in regulation and the game went to overtime. The first overtime
period featured one penalty for the Kings, but the Rangers were unable to
score on the ensuing power play. With five minutes to go in the second
overtime period and the Kings on a 3-on-2 breakaway, Tyler Toffoli fired a
shot that Henrik Lundqvist kicked out directly to Alec Martinez, who fired it
into the open net for the game winner. At that time, the Kings had outshot the
Rangers 51–30. It was the longest game in Kings history.
Series quotes Starting back up with it now is Martinez
in a 3-on-2. Clifford gave it across. It's held and a shot, save, rebound,
SCORE! THE STANLEY CUP – MARTINEZ! Alec Martinez will lead the rush to
center. To Kyle Clifford. Toffoli shoots, great save, rebound...THEY
SCORE! Alec Martinez gets the goal! The Los Angeles Kings have won the Stanley
Cup! Picked up by Martinez. Martinez, to
Clifford. Feeds it right side. Toffoli with a shot, save, rebound, SCORE! Alec
Martinez has won the Stanley Cup for the Los Angeles Kings! And royalty reigns
again in the NHL! The Kings have won their second Stanley Cup in 3 years!
What an incredible end to an incredible season. Thank you to the players, to the
teams, and our fans – all of you! These Kings marched through California,
defeated the defending Stanley Cup champ, and beat the Rangers in a
spectacular Final. It starts at the top with Phil and Nancy Anschutz, Dan
Beckerman, Dean Lombardi, Luc Robitaille, and Darryl Sutter and the
coaching staff. But it doesn't happen without these great players. For the
second time in 3 seasons, it's my honor to present it to Dustin Brown!
Rosters Years indicated in boldface under the
"Finals appearance" column signify that the player won the Stanley Cup in the
given year. = New York Rangers =
= Los Angeles Kings = Los Angeles Kings – 2014 Stanley Cup
champions 1 Played both center and wing.
Coaching and Administrative Staff: Philip Anschutz, Nancy Anchutz, Daniel
Beckerman, Dean Lombardi, Luc Robitaille, Rob
Blake, Jeffrey Solomon, Michael Futa, Darryl Sutter, John
Stevens, Davis Payne, Bill Ranford, Kelly Cheeseman, Michael
Altieri, Jack Ferreira, Mike O'Connell, Nelson Emerson, Alyn
McCauley, Mark Yannetti, Lee Callans, Tony Gasparini, *Marshal
Dickerson, Zack Ziegler, Darren Granger Chris Kingsley, Dana C. Bryson, Myles
Hirayama Engraving notes:
(D) – **Jeff Schultz played 67 regular season and 2 playoff games for the
Manchester Monarchs(AHL). He was recalled during the playoffs and played
seven playoff games for Los Angeles, including one in the Conference Finals.
He spent the whole regular season in the minors, and did not play in the Stanley
Cup Finals. Los Angeles requested that his name be included. It was included
for playing in the Conference Finals and playing in his eighth NHL season
(C) – Colin Fraser played 33 regular season games for Los Angeles, but no
playoff games. Fraser was sent to the minors in February. He played 10 games
for Manchester Monarchs before getting injured. He later rejoined the Kings for
the playoffs in April. Fraser did not play half of the Kings' regular season
games, or a single game in Finals, and Los Angeles did not request that his
name be included. (C) – Linden Vey played in 18 regular
season games and spent most of the regular season in the minors before
being recalled during the playoffs, where he did not play. Los Angeles did
not request his name be included. (D) – Andrew Campbell played in three
regular season games and spent most of the regular season in the minors before
being recalled during the playoffs, where he did not play. Los Angeles did
not request his name be included. Edward P. Roski, Jr. asked that his name
not be included, so that another member could get his name on the Stanley Cup.
Rob Laird,, and Ted Fikre, who were engraved on cup with Los Angeles in
2012, agreed not be have their names engraved in 2014 so that two other
scouts could be their name on the Stanley Cup for the first time. Six out
of 12 scouts had their name on the Stanley Cup in 2014.
Included on team picture, but left off the Stanley Cup
Colin Fraser, Ryan Van Asten, Chris Pikosky, Denver Wilson, Bobby Halfacre
Television This was the last year under the
League's current Canadian TV contracts with CBC and the cable network TSN, and
RDS. The NHL's twelve-year contract with Rogers Communications would then take
effect beginning next season, with English-language national coverage of
the Finals being sub-licensed to CBC, and French-language telecasts being
sub-licensed to TVA Sports. TSN will only be showing regional games for
Toronto, Ottawa and Winnipeg starting the fall of 2014
In the United States, NBCSN broadcast games three and four, while NBC
televised the remaining games. NBC Sports originally planned to repeat its
coverage pattern from the last few seasons: NBCSN would televise game two
and three, while NBC would broadcast game one, and then games four to seven.
After the League scheduled game two on the day of the 2014 Belmont Stakes,
coverage of games two and four were switched so NBC's telecast of the horse
race would serve as lead-in programming to game twp. Due to the death of a
family member, NBC lead play-by-play announcer Mike Emrick missed game one.
Kenny Albert, who was also the Rangers radio announcer for WEPN and announced
several national games for NBC/NBCSN, filled in for Emrick in the first game.
Aftermath The Kings failed to make the playoffs in
the following season, making them only the fifth team in NHL history to fail to
make the playoffs after winning the Stanley Cup. Joining the 1967–68 Toronto
Maple Leafs, 1969–70 Montreal Canadiens, 1995–96 New Jersey Devils, and the
2006–07 Carolina Hurricanes. References