The Los Angeles Kings have won the Stanley Cup for the second time in three years. The Kings won the 2014 NHL championship with a 3-2 double-overtime victory over the New York Rangers at STAPLES Center, in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
L.A.’s incredible road to the title began with a Game 7 win against the San Jose Sharks, after trailing the first-round series 3-0. In the second round of the playoffs, the Kings were down 3-2 in the series against the Anaheim Ducks, and once again came back to win Game 7. To advance to the Stanley Cup Finals, the Kings beat the defending champions, the Chicago Blackhawks, in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals. The winning goal was scored in OT by Alec Martinez, who also scored the winning goal in Game 5 of the Final.
On their march to the Stanley Cup Finals, the Kings became the first team in NHL history to win Game 7 three times. All of the Game 7 victories came on the other team’s home ice. L.A.’s championship run had a record 26 playoff games, with the Kings facing elimination a record seven times. Justin Williams, who scored twice in the Finals and had points in all three Game 7s of the Western Conference playoffs, won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
PARADE
On Monday, June 16, the Los Angeles Kings are celebrating their historic championship with a parade and rally in Downtown L.A. The parade is open to all fans that are able to attend, and is expected to last 30-45 minutes. The parade begins at noon at Figueroa and 5th Street, and ends with a brief celebration at Nokia Plaza at L.A. LIVE. Fans are encouraged to line the one-mile route on both sides of Figueroa, from 5th Street to the north to Chick Hearn Court to the south. To secure a parade spot, early arrival is strongly recommended. Access to the rally and Nokia Plaza will be blocked off.
RALLY
The Season Ticket Member rally will take place inside STAPLES Center at approximately 1 p.m., immediately following the parade. This is a ticketed event, and is expected to be sold out as this post goes live. Ticketing information to the rally was distributed to L.A. Kings Season Ticket Members via email. If you have a ticket to the rally, the parade will be shown on the Jumbotron inside STAPLES Center. The rally features video highlights from the season, introductions of the team, the coaching staff and executives, with speeches and reactions from many of the players in addition to special presentations.
SCHEDULE
According to the L.A. Kings, both the parade and rally will be broadcast on Fox Sports West for those unable to attend.
- 11:30 a.m: Doors to STAPLES Center open for rally ticketholders
- Noon: Parade starts down Figueroa at 5th Street
- 12:25 p.m. Parade turns onto 11th Street
- 12:30 p.m. Kings Celebration Moment on 11th Street in front of STAPLES Center
- 1:15 p.m. Estimated start of rally
- 2:30 p.m. Rally ends
Parade street closures:
- Figueroa from 5th Street to 11th Street from 11.a.m. to 1 p.m.
- 11th Street between Figueroa and Georgia from 4 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Because of street closures, morning commute traffic in the area is expected to be heavy. Make your travel plans accordingly.