NHL Three Stars: Anderson denies Habs; Jackman, Nyquist provide dramatics
Ryan Reaves and Ken Hitchcock: Larger than life
No. 1 Star: Craig Anderson, Ottawa Senators
Entering the third period down 2-1, the Senators stormed back with three unanswered goals to take Game 1 of their series versus the Montreal Canadiens 4-2. Anderson was kept busy making 48 saves, including 25 in the second period. Jakob Silfverberg, Marc Methot and Guillaume Latendresse were the third period scorers.
No. 2 Star: Barret Jackman, St. Louis Blues
Jackman's goal with 50.4 seconds left in regulation snapped a 1-1 tie and gave the Blues a 2-1 victory in Game 2 and a 2-0 advantage in their series against the Los Angeles Kings. The goal was Jackman's first career playoff tally.
No. 3 Star: Gustav Nyquist, Detroit Red Wings
Like Jackman, Nyquist played the hero for his team as the Red Wings evened their series with the Anaheim Ducks with a 5-4 overtime win. Damien Brunner had a goal and two assists, while Johan Franzen a pair of goals for the Red Wings.
Honorable mention: Three goals in a 9-minute span in the second period was enough for the Capitals to beat the New York Rangers 3-1 in Game 1. After Carl Hagelin put New York up in the first, Alex Ovechkin, Marcus Johansson and Jason Chimera each scored to put Washington ahead. Braden Holtby made 35 saves. Ovechkin's goal was his 31st in the playoffs, a franchise record ... This was a nifty backhanded by Rene Bourque:
Chris Neil, meet P.K. Subban:
Jonas Hiller kept the Ducks' comeback hopes alive with this great save on Pavel Datsyuk late in the third period:
Did you know? "The game was the first between Canadian teams in the playoffs since 2004." (AP)
Dishonorable mention: Eric Gryba was ejected from the game after a second period hit on Lars Eller that forced the Canadiens' forward to leave the game. He is spending the night at hospital and reportedly suffered a broken nose and concussion ... The loss was New York's first in regulation this season when leading after the opening period. They were 13-0-1 during the regular season ... This is the first time the Kings are down 2-0 in a playoff series since 2002 ... Red Wings defenseman Danny DeKeyser suffered a broken bone in his hand and is out for the rest of the season.
