The Kings-Rangers double-overtime thriller in 2014 deserves a deep rewind

It’s June 13th, 2014. We’re in L.A. where the hometown Kings are battling the New York Rangers in game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final. Tied at two, nearly 15 minutes into a second overtime. Someone’s gotta score.

If LA can take control of the puck, every shot attempt has the chance to bring them their second Cup in three years. Their road has been anything but straightforward, they’ve overcome the odds with absurd regularity, in large part thanks to Jonathan Quick - their man between the pipes.

If the Rangers can get another past him they’ll not only live to see game six but potentially steal the momentum of a series that could easily be in their control. If they can fully pull off the comeback, it would be the final feather in the already feather-filled cap of one of the most impressive goaltenders we’ve ever seen.

Written and produced by Will Buikema
Edited and graphics by Charlotte Atkinson
Additional graphics by Philip Pasternak

[remakesmusic]

I happened to meet Lundqvist at my job this year. While he never won the cup he is one of the best of all time. I was freaking out but he was kind enough to take a picture and chat for a few minutes. He was very kind and personable, and seems comfortable with where he’s at in retirement.

[ndrocca]

Incredible moment in NHL history. However, imo, this moment also produced the saddest image in NHL history. King Henrik after the goal. You can tell he knows that was his best chance.

[scullystie]

This whole playoff run was a heart attack for Kings fans. What a year

[OffenFeind]

seeing hank laying on the ice after that goal was just so heartbreaking.

[austinemms]

While this is the greatest overtime win in LA Kings history, I just feel bad for King Henrik. This was his only chance at the Stanley Cup and his team let him down again.

[lucashenderson]

The 2014 Kings playoff run could very well be the most insane title run in sports history when you think about it.

[Roryz]

I was at this game, very last row at Staples Center. The longest overtimes in my life followed by pure ecstasy of being around 20k screaming Kings fan

[patrickthomas]

I can't lie. My first thought when Lundqvist retired was..."He'll make a great episode of Untitled."

[topherthegopher]

Man as a Kings fan, those cup runs were really awesome to watch!

[Gingerbreadley]

This takes me back. Still can’t believe Brown is retiring. 20th greatest American goal scorer ever in the lowest scoring era on the most defensive team. And people barely talk about him.

[donkeykongenjoyer]

Thank you for making this video. For years this event has haunted my mind, being a rangers fan since the 2012 playoffs. It was Henrik who made me fall in love with this team, and this amazing sport. This video has given me closure on this haunting game. It’s helped me feel a feeling I haven’t felt about this game before: acceptance. Thank you secret base.

[AllezlesParisiens]

I remember this day like it was yesterday. I wasn’t even nervous at the end anymore, just relieved. I remember in the post game, the analysts talked about how the king’s core was still young enough to win more cups. Didn’t happen unfortunately, but I’m happy they won those two.

[neomarioism]

im a pens fan, and even i still get such a heart wrenching feeling watching hank just lay out on the ice completely defeated. cant imagine how devastating that must have felt.

[SamsCinema]

That stretch of years with the Kings and Blackhawks being the top 2 teams in the league was awesome. Their series always felt like the Cup Finals.

[sonofagun]

2012 and 2014 were great years. As a lifelong resident of Toronto, I was never a Leaf's fan but had loved the LA Kings my entire life. Even know I have an old Gretzky jersey, the royal purple and the newest black and silver in addition to other memorabilia.

Seeing the Kings win with stellar precision in 2012 and to win again as the ultimate underdog in 2014 was incredible.

GKG 4Life.

[LocalManMakesMusic]

Those Kings teams were so magical but it all seems like a fever dream now. Watching this reminded me of so many little details I had forgotten. I watched this game live in my weird little store front apartment in Echo Park. My wife who was pregnant with our first child had invited some people over to hang out after the game. I never thought this game would last so long so here I was watching one of the most thrilling games in NHL history on mute while trying to explain its significance to my wife’s friend’s disinterested boyfriend and brother. There are some diehard hockey fans in LA but they are few and far between. So as a Kings fan you always have to justify your passion for this team and this sport. To this day I still hold a grudge against those people in my home who were dead silent when Alec Martinez sealed the deal in one of the greatest moments in LA sports history. I was freaking out but I had no one to share that excitement with. This was just a few months before we moved out of that funky little storefront and fatherhood changed my life forever. But I’ll never forget that glorious moment. Go Kings, go!

[diegojuarez]

An extra note: the call at the end was from the CBC broadcast. That was the last NHL game CBC will produce until at least 2026 (year when the current tv deal expires). The next season, 2014-15, Rogers Sportsnet took over the national tv rights and Hockey Night in Canada broadcasting. And while CBC still broadcasts HNIC, they are doing it under a sublicense deal with Rogers. So yeah, for Canadians this moment has an special meaning because it was the end of an era for Canada’s biggest sports tradition in television.

[cybertronguy]

it really is a shame Lundqvist never got a ring, he absolutely deserved one, and that's coming from a Flyers fan.

[MrBarlieCharlie]

The series vs the Sharks was one of my favorite times in my sports-watching career.

[nicknackau]

Kings fan here. I remember crying when I saw this live