Kings 3, Rangers 2 (OT): Justin Williams scored 4:36 into overtime as host Los Angeles overcame an early two-goal deficit for the third time in four contests to seize Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final.

After eliminating defending champion Chicago in overtime of Game 7 in the Western Conference final, the Kings took advantage of New York defenseman Dan Girardi's failed clearing attempt to net the deciding goal. Mike Richards alertly fed Williams, who wristed a shot from the slot that beat Henrik Lundqvist (40 saves) inside the left post for his first career postseason overtime winner.

Fourth-liner Kyle Clifford scored his first goal in 67 contests and added an assist - along with Williams - on defenseman Drew Doughty's tally for the Kings, who host Game 2 on Saturday. Doughty's second-period goal pushed his point total to 17, breaking his own franchise record for a blue-liner set during Los Angeles' Stanley Cup-winning season in 2012.

Carl Hagelin scored a short-handed goal in the first period but was denied by Jonathan Quick (25 saves) on a similar opportunity with 41 seconds left in regulation. The Swede skated back on defense and extended his body to prevent Jeff Carter's wraparound bid to effectively send the game to overtime.

After New York seized a quick 2-0 lead, Clifford forced a turnover by New York's Derek Stepan before gaining inside position on defenseman Marc Staal. Clifford chipped a centering feed by Carter past Lundqvist from the left doorstep with 2:27 remaining in the session for his first goal since Dec. 11. Doughty forged a tie 6:36 into the second as he maneuvered the puck between his own legs before skating through the left faceoff circle and beating Lundqvist with a wrister.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final ventured into overtime for the third consecutive year. ... New York LW Benoit Pouliot stripped Doughty of the puck at the blue line and beat Quick on a breakaway at 13:21 of the first period to snap a 12-game goal-scoring drought. Hagelin doubled the advantage 1:42 later after breezing past Kings D Slava Voynov on a partial breakaway. The speedy Swede's backhand shot was denied by Quick, but the puck caromed off Voynov's skate and into the net for his team-leading seventh goal. ... Hall-of-Famer Wayne Gretzky dropped the ceremonial first puck prior to the game. "The Great One" led the Kings to their first appearance in the Stanley Cup final in 1993 and finished his career with the Rangers six years later. ... Actor Will Ferrell, writer/producer Larry David and broadcaster Al Michaels were in attendance at Staples Center.