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‘Tears of heartbreak’ for Lundqvist, Rangers

2014 NHL Stanley Cup Final - Game Five

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 13: Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers skates off the ice after losing 3-2 to the Los Angeles Kings in double overtime during Game Five of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final at Staples Center on June 13, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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Henrik Lundqvist and the New York Rangers continued to fight hard in another elimination contest in Game 5, yet this time they fell to the Los Angeles Kings in a double-overtime thriller. As brilliant as Lundqvist was, he couldn’t stop that Alec Martinez rebound goal that clinched the Kings’ championship, and he didn’t deny how much this loss hurts.

No doubt about it, Lundqvist & Co. went down fighting. The 32-year-old netminder made 48 saves in Game 5 and finished a .923 save percentage in the 2014 Stanley Cup Final series overall.

While Lundqvist often stood on his head, other Rangers struggled. Brad Richards drew serious criticism for his play during stretches of this series in particular, yet he seemed more focused on the team loss than any individual struggles.

As great as Lundqvist was at times, Jonathan Quick enjoyed some dominant moments and now possesses two Stanley Cup rings. It sounds like a few Rangers felt like they let their goalie down.

Ultimately, most seemed to agree that it all hurts so badly because the Rangers were so close. Their head coach even seems to find silver linings in these bittersweet feelings.

Proud or not, the Kings ultimately proved to be too much to handle. Time will tell if the Rangers will get this far again with Lundqvist as their franchise goalie.

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins