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NHL: 30 best series winning goals in NHL Playoffs history

By Nick Villano

St. Louis Blues left wing Pat Maroon (7) is congratulated by teammates after scoring the game winning goal in double overtime in game seven of the second round of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Dallas Stars at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
St. Louis Blues left wing Pat Maroon (7) is congratulated by teammates after scoring the game winning goal in double overtime in game seven of the second round of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Dallas Stars at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Alec Martinez
Alec Martinez (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

NHL: 30 best series-winning goals in NHL playoff history:
13. Alec Martinez beats the Rangers

The image of Henrik Lundqvist face down on the ice as the Los Angeles Kings celebrated the 2014 Stanley Cup Championship will stick with hockey fans across the world. It was both devastating and impossibly mesmerizing at the same time. Here’s this goalie who’s been on these great teams for nine seasons got as close as possible to the championship before watching as it slipped through his fingers. The Rangers would never get as close as this again.

The game was great. Justin Williams scored in a deciding Stanley Cup Final game (because of course he did). Chris Kreider and Brian Boyle scored second-period goals to give the Rangers the lead. Marian Gaborik scored to tie the game in the third period. Both teams came close, but neither scored in the first overtime. Ryan McDonagh and Tyler Toffoli both even hit the post in a chance to win the game. This was also the third time this series the game needed overtime. These two teams knew the pressure they were facing.

Then, it happened. Kyle Clifford came up the ice with two teammates. The Rangers only had two defenders back. Clifford passed the puck to Toffoli, who took a shot. Lundqvist stopped it, but the rebound went right to Alec Martinez.

The Kings were champions again. The Rangers and their fans had this sinking feeling that hasn’t gone away. Winning this game would have brought it back to Madison Square Garden, and anything could happen from there. Instead, the Kings won in front of its fans for the second time in three seasons. It was looking like Los Angeles had a dynasty on its hands, and it was all because of Martinez being at the right place at the right time.

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