Kings 2, Canucks 1 (OT)
VANCOUVER -- The Los Angeles Kings have conquered the NHL's presidents.
The eighth-seeded Kings pulled off a stunning victory over the President's Trophy winners on Sunday, defeating the Vancouver Canucks 2-1 in overtime in Game 5 to clinch the best-of-seven series 4-1.
Jarret Stoll scored 4:27 into the extra session as the Kings stormed into Rogers Arena and won their third straight game in Vancouver's rink.
The Kings' Jonathan Quick was terrific in goal and Brad Richardson, who missed the first three games of the series after an emergency appendectomy, sent the game into overtime with his third-period tally.
Henrik Sedin had the lone goal for Vancouver, which managed just eight markers in the series.
The Kings were outplayed through 40 minutes but, sensing they could send the NHL's best team packing, came out with a frantic third period and continued that pace in overtime.
They were rewarded early in overtime when Stoll pounced on a Dan Hamhuis turnover -- the disappointed crowd felt that Hamhuis was hauled down by Trevor Lewis -- and scored on the ensuing 2-on-1. Stoll fired a rocket shot short side just under the crossbar for his second goal in the past 40 games.
The win sends Los Angeles into the second round for the first time in 11 years.
The Canucks' best period during the regular season was the third period, but not in this series. Los Angeles won Games 1 and 3 after the teams were tied through 40 minutes, and on Sunday they overcame a 1-0 deficit heading into the third.
After an unsuccessful power play early in the third, the Kings took advantage of a center-ice turnover to tie the game.
Drew Doughty snapped up an errant pass, outwaited Cory Schneider and fed Richardson, who outbattled Henrik Sedin and Alex Edler in front to snap the puck in for his first goal of the series.
Prior to the third period, Quick was the only reason L.A. was within one goal.
With time waning in the second frame the confident Kings netminder held his ground against Jannik Hansen on a 2-on-1, and then stopped sniper Daniel Sedin with a right pad save on a clear-cut breakaway.
Schneider, making his third straight start in favor of Roberto Luongo, was strong as well.
He robbed Willie Mitchell early in overtime, and made an amazing second-period stop on Mike Richards that brought many people in the sellout crowd of 18,690 to their feet.
The Canucks led 1-0 after 40 minutes thanks to a power-play marker from Henrik Sedin.
Vancouver killed off two early first-period penalties, then had four consecutive man-advantage chances of their own.
The second opportunity proved fruitful.
Canucks defenseman Hamhuis blocked a Matt Greene clearing attempt, then Henrik and Daniel Sedin worked a pretty give-and-go with Henrik finishing the play into an empty net after Daniel's pass fooled Mitchell and Quick.
NOTES: Canucks F Dale Weise dressed in favor of Zack Kassian on the fourth line and was effective with Manny Malhotra and Mason Raymond. ... Canucks forward Ryan Kesler did not score a goal in his final 17 games of the season. ... Kings forwards Anze Kopitar (one goal, three assists) and Justin Williams (four assists) had their four-game points streaks snapped. The Canucks led 1-0 after two periods, but could have had a wider edge if not for the heroics of the Kings' Jonathan Quick.
