10 best NHL Stanley Cup Playoff overtime goals of the 2010s

PHILADELPHIA - JUNE 02: Claude Giroux #28 of the Philadelphia Flyers scores a goal against Antti Niemi #31 of the Chicago Blackhawks in overtime to win the game 4-3 in Game Three of the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Wachovia Center on June 2, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

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LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 13: Alec Martinez #27 of the Los Angeles Kings celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal in double overtime against Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers during Game Five of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final at Staples Center on June 13, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

2. Alec Martinez – 2014 Stanley Cup Final, Game 5

Double overtime, Cup clincher, scored by an unlikely hero. This goal has a lot going for it.

The 2014 Stanley Cup Final featured two teams looking to retain their statuses as Cup contenders. The Los Angeles Kings were looking to exorcise some demons from following a crushing conference final loss to the Chicago Blackhawks the previous season and regain the title of Cup champions. The New York Rangers on the other hand were desperately clawing to keep their Cup window open with Henrik Lundqvist in net.

After winning three straight series of seven games, the Kings dispatched the overmatched Rangers in just five.

In the deciding game, both teams would play to a stalemate through 80 minutes, necessitating a second overtime period. With just over five minutes remaining, the Kings took the puck up the ice on a 3-on-2 rush. Tyler Toffoli launched a shot off of Henrik Lundqvist’s right leg and the rebound immediately found itself on Martinez’s stick. The stalwart defenseman fired the puck into the yawning cage, the Staples Center erupted and the Kings captured their second title in three seasons.

The image of Martinez and the Kings leaping in celebration while Lundqvist lay dejected on the ice has become an iconic image. In just one frame, it captures both sides of the Stanley Cup — the unbridled euphoria of victory and the sobering heartbreak of defeat.

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