Los Angeles Kings End 45-Year Stanley Cup Drought

Posted June 12th, 2012 at 12:05 am (UTC-5)
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The Los Angeles Kings trounced the visiting New Jersey Devils 6-1 Monday to win the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup championship, the first ever in the franchise's 45-year history.

The Kings jumped out to an early 3-0 lead during a five-minute power play after Devils' forward Steve Bernier was ejected from the game for a hit that left Los Angeles defenseman Rob Scuderi bloodied. Los Angeles goaltender Jonathan Quick made 17 saves in another stellar postseason performance that earned him the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the 2012 playoffs.

Jeff Carter and Trevor Lewis led the Kings' scoring onslaught with two goals apiece, while captain Dustin Brown finished with a goal and two assists. Los Angeles is the first eighth-seeded playoff team to win the Stanley Cup.

Rookie Adam Henrique scored the only goal for New Jersey, which had won the last two games in the finals after falling behind 3-0 in the best-of-seven series.