Quest for the Cup: Chronicling the Kings’ 2014 playoff run

They had not traveled so far and played so long, been through so much, to just skate away quietly and quickly into the night.

Did anyone truly think that the Kings and Chicago Blackhawks would manage to settle the issue in four, five or six games?

Almost eight eye-catching minutes flew by — 7:56, to be precise — without a stoppage in play between the Kings and Chicago Blackhawks in the first overtime period at the United Center.

One game from the abyss has turned into one game from the bliss of the Stanley Cup Final.

You suspect the Kings’ thank-you notes to the Columbus Blue Jackets might be getting too long and too wordy right now.

Dungeons and dragons?

They have become so expert at moving on, from the highs after series victories and the lows after devastating losses.

When it comes to winning a big game, the Kings’ knowledge in how to do so was a mismatch over the Ducks.

Call it a self-fulfilling prophecy, missed opportunities or just another dramatic turn, but the Ducks couldn’t finish off the Kings on Wednesday night, and hockey’s freeway series is now going the distance.

John Gibson made it sound so simple. “We knew they were capable of coming back.

Bold decision, brave play.

After losing two at home, Anaheim gets back in series with a 3-2 victory at Staples Center.

The Ducks dedicated their regular-season meetings against the Kings to getting their rivals out of their heads.

He scores with seven seconds left in regulation to tie the score and again in the extra period for a 3-2 win in the playoff series opener.

The Kings become the fourth team in NHL history to win a best-of-seven series after losing the first three games. They will play the Ducks in the second round.

Kings get a three-goal burst in the third period to defeat Sharks, 4-1, and force Game 7 in San Jose on Wednesday.

Jonathan Quick makes 30 saves in the shutout as the Kings hold off elimination for a second game behind a strong all-around effort. Game 6 is Monday in Los Angeles.

Marian Gaborik and Justin Williams each score twice as Kings stave off elimination and earn a trip back to San Jose for Game 5.

Patrick Marleau scores in overtime to lift the Sharks to a 3-0 playoff series lead over the Kings. Only three teams in NHL history have come back from a three-game series deficit.

The Kings give up seven unanswered goals in the second and third periods and trail 2-0 in the series, which heads back to L.A.

San Jose builds a 5-0 lead through two periods, including two late goals in first period, before L.A. makes a third-period comeback that is too little, too late.