The Stanley Cup is the best trophy in sports, and it's hard to think of a more worthy champion this season than the Los Angeles Kings. They were able to overcome the odds of being a No. 8 seed in remarkably impressive fashion, losing just four games in the entire postseason en route to their first ever Cup.

With the best trophy in sports comes the best party in pro sports -- from the sheer childish joy of the players to the loving embrace of the people who helped get them there to the champagne-infused locker room celebration to, yes, the traditional player-by-player hoist of the Cup, hockey reached its climax on Monday night.

Let's relive it with some of the best photos from the evening. Kings fans: You'll wanna bookmark this.

Of course, it wasn't guaranteed victory on Monday night in Game 6. Fans around L.A. settled in nervously during the first period. But before long, victory slowly became reality, and then it was just a waiting game:

Let the party begin.





(He smiles, you guys!)





King Kopitar.





Justin Williams' baby nephew, Hutson Lachapelle, has the coolest life.

/requisite "Two girls, one Cup" joke

The owner, Philip Anschutz, in his rightful place -- getting his time with the Cup after the players who sacrificed so much to earn it.

Bailey's been waiting years for this.





The Philadelphia crew.









All photos via Getty Images, US PRESSWIRE