Playoff Moments: #7 Marian Finds A Way
by Alex Kinkopf / Los Angeles KingsEvery Monday, Wednesday, and Friday LAKings.com will countdown the Top 15 moments from the LA Kings improbable run to their 2nd Stanley Cup Championship.
May 3 presented a historic night as Southern California’s two NHL clubs met for the first time ever in postseason play.
Marian Gaborik made it memorable.
In Game 1 of the Kings’ Western Conference Semifinal series against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center, the final seconds proved to be crucial as the Kings scrapped desperately to overcome a late one-goal deficit.
Down 2-1 with seconds remaining in regulation, Jonathan Quick was pulled for an extra attacker.
Mike Richards, who was aware of the waning time, feverishly worked to maintain control of the puck, and in one swift motion, fed a Hail-Mary type pass toward the front of Anaheim’s net in hopes of a tip, deflection, or rebound.
Gaborik was there to capitalize, knotting the score 2-2 with :07.0 seconds remaining.
MARIAN’S ON THE CLOCK
Then, just over 12 minutes into overtime, Anze Kopitar found Gaborik streaking to Anaheim’s net undetected. Kopitar fed a shot/pass that Gaborik tipped off the left post, off of Jonas Hiller’s back, and into the net to give the Kings a 3-2 victory, and a 1-0 series lead.
Money.
THE BANK’S OPEN
007 strikes again for the Kings. pic.twitter.com/sImbVxOrru
— Brian McCarthy (@brianmccarthy1) May 4, 2014YESHAJAKAJ pic.twitter.com/CdJeaKbM6U
— GOOP (@OneGirlOnePuck) May 4, 2014The newly acquired forward was snagged from the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 5 by Dean Lombardi just moments prior to the NHL’s trade-deadline. It was an outstanding acquisition for Lombardi and the Kings, who only had to surrender Matt Frattin and a pair of draft picks in the trade.
Gaborik led all NHL players with 14 postseason goals, and was rewarded with a new seven-year, $34.13 million contract with the Kings on June 25.
So, the Gaborik trade has worked out so far.
— Flubber McGee (@FlubberMcGee) May 4, 2014And Dean Lombardi should probably send a fruit basket or something to Columbus. #LAKings
— Jim Alexander (@Jim_Alexander) May 4, 2014
Playoff Moments: #15 Muzz Lightyear
Playoff Moments: #14 Slava's Stick
Playoff Moments: #13 Route 73
Playoff Moments: #12 Zero's
Playoff Moments: #11 Reality Check
Playoff Moments: #10 Caps For Carter
Playoff Moments: #09 Every Day Anze
Playoff Moments: #08 Eight’s Overboard
Playoff Moments: #07 Marian Finds A Way