Mayor Eric Garcetti instantly joined the ranks of the L.A. Kings’ most enthusiastic fans on Monday, intentionally dropping the F-bomb on live television as he and thousands of fans gathered inside Staples Center to celebrate the team’s Stanley Cup win.

“There are two rules in politics,” he said to a cheering crowd at a rally inside Staples Center, as he held a beer bottle in his hand.

“They say never, ever be pictured with a drink in your hand, and never swear — but this is a big f—— day.”

He added: “Way to go guys!” as he headed back to his seat among a roar of approval from the crowd. Kings players — some of whom faced criticism for cursing at the team’s celebration two years ago — laughed, smiled and applauded. Garcetti continued grinning as he stood up and gave the “No. 1” sign to the crowd with his hand.

Social media embraced the usually polite mayor’s expressiveness, with some online posters joking that he just won his next election.

“He’s got our vote,” read one posting on Twitter.

“Our mayor. The best,” read another.

After Garcetti ended his speech, Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Miller said: “I have to follow that?!”

Miller then introduced Luc Robitaille, the former player and the team’s current president of business operations, who playfully scolded the mayor before the crowd: “We told our players not to cuss. Thanks!”

The speech was carried live on Fox Sports West with no bleeps. A few moments later, an announcer offered the network’s apology: “On behalf of Fox Sports West, we’d like to apologize for the inappropriate language heard earlier back inside.”

Fox Sports West spokeswoman Whitney Burak said while the network has censors monitoring live broadcasts, no one expected the mayor, of all people, to need a bleep.

“Obviously, we didn’t know he was going to do that,” Burak said.

She said as far as she knew, the Federal Communications Commission has not contacted the station.

Had the Kings lost, Garcetti would have had to sing “New York, New York” Monday night on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” based on his bet with New York Mayor Bill de Blasio. Instead, de Blasio was scheduled to appear on the show and sing Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.”

Staff Writer Jill Painter Lopez contributed to this report.