No. 1 Star: Eric Nystrom, Calgary Flames
In the game of the night, Nystrom's rebound tally with 6:56 left was the game-winner in the Calgary Flames' 6-4 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, evening their series at 2-2. Nystrom also had two assists. Honorable mentions for Olli Jokinen, scoring his first two playoff goals, and Jarome Iginla, who opened the scoring for Calgary and then closed it with an empty-net goal after a brilliant defensive play. Guess all the Flames needed to get back in the series was a reason to get pissed off, thanks to well-publicized trash talking.
No. 2 Star: Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers
As we mentioned earlier tonight, Lundqvist and the Rangers' defense held off an Alexander Ovechkin-led rally in the third, beating the Washington Capitals by a 2-1 score and moving to a 3-1 series lead. King Henrik had 38 saves, including a few critical stops in the final frame. Now all the Caps will have to do is beat him three times in a row to win the series. Good luck with that.
No. 3 Star: Michael Ryder, Boston Bruins
Just when you thought every perverse twist of the knife had been administered to the carcass of the Montreal Canadiens' centennial season, here comes maligned former Hab Ryder with two goals and an assist in Boston's 4-1 series sweep-clinching victory.
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Major penalty: The Montreal fans who taunted Bob Gainey with chants of "Carbo" were on point. The ones that razzed Carey Price with Bronx cheers, however, were out of line. Sure, the kid suffered through his second underwhelming postseason. But he was one of about three dozen problems for this sad-sack team. HabsWorld nailed it: "These same people who boo the talent right out of Montreal are the same ones who ask every July, 'How come top end players won't sign in Montreal?' Ridiculous."
Minor penalty: They won the game; but let's not totally let the Flames off the hook for giving up three consecutive goals in just over seven minutes in the second, letting the Blackhawks tie the game -- including two on the power play.
Conn Smythe Watch: (The Top 10) 1. Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks; 2. Henrik Lundqvist, Rangers; 3. Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins; 4. Chris Osgood, Detroit Red Wings; 5. Daniel Sedin, Canucks; 6. Phil Kessel, Bruins; 7. Jarome Iginla, Flames; 8. Jonas Hiller, Ducks; 9. Jonathan Toews, Blackhawks; 10. Alexander Ovechkin, Capitals
