NHL Three Stars: Krejci’s trick beats Leafs; Ducks, Kings win in OT
No. 1 Star: David Krejci, Boston Bruins
Krejci scored twice in the second period 3:40 apart to help the Bruins take a 3-2 lead over the Toronto Maple Leafs. In overtime, Krejci completed his hat trick at 13:06 to give Boston a 4-3 win and a 3-1 series lead. Tuukka Rask made 45 saves. Zdeno Chara led all players in time on ice with 33:09 and assisted on all four Boston goals.
No. 2 Star: Nick Bonino, Anaheim Ducks
Just 1:54 into overtime was all that the Ducks and Bonino needed to put the Detroit Red Wings on the brink of elimination with a 3-2 victory. Bonino's goal was his third of the series, tying him with Ryan Getzlaf for the Ducks' team lead.
No. 3 Star: Jeff Carter, Los Angeles Kings
Carter scored his second and third goals of the playoffs to pace the Kings to a 2-1 lead over the St. Louis Blues early in the third period. After the Blues knotted it up late in regulation, Slava Voynov's two-way play helped create the winning goal he would score for a 3-2 win, giving the Kings a 3-2 series lead. Jonathan Quick made 34 saves. Anze Kopitar and Mike Richards finished with a pair of assists.
Honorable mention: Three overtime playoff games? Yes, please! ... Somebody get Johnny Boychuk a bag of ice for his effort on this shift:
Carl Hagelin scored one himself and set up two others as the New York Rangers evened their series with the Washington Capitals thanks to a 4-3 win in Game 4. After letting the Capitals tie the game at two in the second period, Dan Girardi capitalized on a power play chance and Derek Stepan added his second of the playoffs 5:03 later to give the Rangers just enough for the win. Stepan's goal came on a pretty play helped set up by Hagelin:
Did You Know? The Bruins are 15-2 when leading a best-of-seven series 3-1. And Toronto is 2-12-1 in its last 15 games in Boston. (AP)
Conn Smythe Watch: 1. David Krejci, Boston Bruins; 2. Joe Pavelski, San Jose Sharks; 3. Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks; 4. Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins; 5. Logan Couture, San Jose Sharks; 6. Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals; 7. Craig Anderson, Ottawa Senators; 8. Kyle Okposo, New York Islanders; 9. Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings; 10. Jonas Hiller, Anaheim Ducks.
Dishonorable mention: Toronto failed to score on their four power plays ... Maple Leafs defenseman Mark Fraser was hit in the head with a puck and left the game. He went to a local hospital later to get a CT scan ... Marc Staal did not play for the Rangers ... Martin Erat left the game with an apparent wrist injury in the second period ... Henrik Zetterberg is goalless in seven consecutive playoff games, the longest streak of his career, according to the AP.
