Finally, Kings' frustration ends after 45 years

Dustin Brown had a moment of indecision. He couldn't seem to figure out exactly how to lift the Stanley Cup. Left hand on top, or right hand? Brown finally got it, and 45 years of frustration came out.

Kings fans, who had endured the lowest of lows over the last five decades and were 19 years removed from their previous (and only) trip to the Stanley Cup final, roared their approval as Brown skated around with the Cup and handed it to his eldest teammate, defenseman Willie Mitchell.

"The city of Los Angeles has been waiting for this for 45 years," Brown said. "There are about 20 million dreams coming true tonight."

Fittingly, the Kings didn't make it easy on themselves. They won the first three games of the series against the New Jersey Devils, then lost the next two and needed a Game 6 win on home ice in order to avoid a return trip to New Jersey for Game 7.

Now, the Kings can celebrate Tuesday rather than get on a plane.

"You've got to learn how to win," Stoll said. "You can't be scared to win. You've got to go through it. We definitely had to battle, these last couple years, to raise this thing."