Kings advance to Stanley Cup finals vs. Rangers

(AP) — The Los Angeles Kings almost went down in their opening playoff series. They flirted with elimination again in the second round. They went to the absolute edge of the offseason in the Western Conference finals.
This is one tough team heading to the Stanley Cup finals.
Alec Martinez scored at 5:47 of overtime, and the Kings beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-4 Sunday night to advance to the NHL’s championship for the second time in three years.
Los Angeles improved to 7-0 in elimination games with its third Game 7 win on the road this postseason. It will host the New York Rangers in Game 1 on Wednesday night.
“It’s just a trust system in this room as the result of being together for hundreds of games,” Kings captain Dustin Brown said. “Climbing the hill once. Then trying to do it again. We know what to expect and we expect a lot from each other.”
Martinez’s shot went off Blackhawks defenseman Nick Leddy and fluttered past goalie Corey Crawford, stunning the sellout crowd at the United Center and leading to a wild on-ice celebration for Los Angeles. Leddy and Crawford were hunched over as the Kings gathered in a big huddle along the boards.
“I didn’t really see it go in,” Martinez said. “I know it went off a couple bodies. I just tried to get it through and fortunately it went in.”
Patrick Sharp scored twice for the Blackhawks, who blew a 2-0 lead. Brandon Saad had a goal and an assist, and Patrick Kane had two assists.
Chicago’s loss means Detroit remains the last NHL team to win consecutive titles, accomplishing the feat in 1997 and 1998.
“I’ve lost some tough games but nothing like tonight,” Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said.