NHL Three Stars: Lundqvist, Reimer close the door; Wings advance
No. 1 Star: Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers
The Rangers goalie made 27 saves for his seventh playoff shutout, forcing a Game 7 with the Washington Capitals in a 1-0 win. Derick Brassard had the lone goal.
No. 2 Star: James Reimer, Toronto Maple Leafs
The Leafs goalie made 29 saves, many of them spectacular, as Toronto forced a Game 7 with a 3-1 win over the Boston Bruins.
No. 3 Star: Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings
Sure, the captain took a costly penalty in the third period that led to an Anaheim Ducks goal. But he also scored the opening goal of a Game 7 on the road, and added an assist on Valtteri Filppula’s goal as the Red Wings eliminated the Ducks, 3-2.
Honorable mention: Justin Abdelkader had a shorthanded goal for the Wings. Emerson Etem and Francois Beauchemin had the Anaheim goals. … Dion Phaneuf and Phil Kessel scored for the Leafs; Milan Lucic had the Boston goal. … Jimmy Howard made 31 saves.
Conn Smythe Watch: 1. David Krejci, Boston Bruins; 2. Joe Pavelski, San Jose Sharks; 3. Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins; 4. Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks; 5. Logan Couture, San Jose Sharks; 6. Patrick Sharp, Chicago Blackhawks 7. Craig Anderson, Ottawa Senators; 8. James Reimer, Toronto Maple Leafs; 9. Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings; 10. Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings.
Dishonorable mention: The Rangers weren’t whistled for a penalty until a scrum at 20:00 of the third period. Which is odd for a playoff game. … Saku Koivu finished the series with Detroit with a minus-4. … Corey Perry didn't have a goal in seven games. ... Tyler Seguin doesn’t have a point in six games, and was serenaded by the Leafs faithful.
