Justin Time Again: Kings' Williams OT Goal Rings Up Rangers

It's not like this dude sleeps through the regular season.

Justin Williams is no cicada, that red-eyed insect that spends years germinating underground and then arises to wreak havoc on the world for two weeks before blowing its wad.

But Williams does manage to save his best for Lord Stanley's party. It may not have been a Game 7, but last night's overtime marker counted just the same:

The dramatic finish capped an impressively entertaining contest that was wide open from wire to wire.

Anticipation was this series would feature Kings's strength against Rangers' speed, and while the Blueshirts held up their end in the early going, Los Angeles inexplicably began as if this was a September skate-around. That's how 2-0 deficits after the first period are made. But New York couldn't handle the prosperity:

The Rangers expect turnovers as a by-product of pushing the pace, and they'll need that pace if they hope to raise the Cup. But this time, not even Lundqvist could save them.

However, the übergoalie was on his game. Coach Alain Vigneault surely figures that will keep the Blueshirts close enough to pick at least one decision away from the Kings on Los Angeles ice. That may well be, but Jonathan Quick showed signs of returning to his own stellar playoff form last night after what has to date been a mediocre -- by his standards -- performace this spring.

Those who were expected to step up in Game 1 did so. In addition to the netminders, Drew Doughty was clutch, and Carl Hagelin again confirmed his status as a rising star. Then there's Williams, adding to his legend as Captain Coda. The closer.

Doing his best to keep the Kings from needing his Game 7 heroics.