Justin Williams of the Los Angeles Kings scores the game-winning goal against the New York Rangers on Wednesday (US time). Photo: AFP

Justin Williams netted the overtime game winner on Wednesday (US time), giving the Los Angeles Kings a 3-2 triumph over the New York Rangers in game one of the Stanley Cup finals.

The Kings battled back from an early two-goal ­deficit, and Williams sealed the win 4:35 into overtime to give the Kings a 1-0 lead in the ­best-of-seven NHL championship series.

Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi tried to stickhandle his way out of his zone on the right wing, but didn't control the puck.

Mike Richards turned around and pushed the puck forward to Williams, who was left alone in the slot.

He beat Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist for his first overtime goal in a playoff game.

Lundqvist took a tough loss after stopping 40 of 43 shots - including all 20 he faced in the third period.

His opposite number Jonathan Quick made 25 saves for the Kings, who host game two on Saturday.

The two teams were tied at 2-2 after two periods and ­neither scored in the third.

Drew Doughty netted the equalizer for the Kings at 6:36 of the second on a shot from the left circle, which

hit the net after going through the crook of Lundqvist's arm.

Kyle Clifford netted the Kings' first goal when he ­redirected a Jeff Carter centering pass with 2:27 left in the first.

The well-rested Rangers, who completed their Eastern Conference finals win over Montreal on May 29, had taken a 2-0 lead with goals from Benoit Pouliot Carl Hagelin.

Williams, who notched his second game-winning goal of this postseason, said the Kings were able to draw on the knowledge that they had erased an early deficit in their game-seven Western Conference finals win over Chicago on Sunday.

But it would be better not to put themselves in the hole.

"It's a great result of the hockey game for us, ­definitely, but we have a lot of things to clean up," he said.

Los Angeles are seeking to add a second Stanley Cup crown to the one they captured in 2012.


Newspaper headline: LA come back from two goals down