No. 1 Star: Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings
Quick stopped everything he faced as the Kings shutout the Vancouver Canucks 1-0 to take a 3-0 series lead. Outstanding again, Quick made 41 saves for his second career postseason shutout. The other hero -- and only goal scorer of the game -- was Dustin Brown, who potted his fourth goal of the series 6:30 into the third period:
No. 2 Star: Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators
After facing just 17 shots a Game 2 loss, Rinne was kept busy during Nashville's 3-2 victory in Game 3. Making 41 saves, Rinne and the Predators took a 2-1 series lead over the Detroit Red Wings, earning their first ever postseason win in the Motor City. Sergei Kostitsyn's goal late in the third period would end up being the game-winner. Shea Weber scored the game's opening goal and defenseman Kevin Klein scored a goal, assisted on another and helped deny one for Detroit:
No. 3 Star: Stephen Weiss, Florida Panthers
The longest-tenured Panther scored the opening two goals of game as Florida built up a 3-0 lead before hanging on for a 4-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils to even their series at 1-1. Jose Theodore stopped 23 shots and Marcel Goc scored and added an assist as the Panthers won their first playoff game since April 17, 1997. And as is a tradition brought back this season, the rats returned:
Honorable mention: Danny Briere continued to be a productive postseason player with a two-goal, three point afternoon during Philadelphia's 8-4 rout of the Pittsburgh Penguins to move to within a victory of a sweep. In 100 career playoff games, Briere now has 101 points. Matt Read also scored twiced and Jaromir Jagr contributed three helpers. Claude Giroux tallied a Gordie Howe Hat Trick in the win ... The real Hulk Hogan made an appearance in Philly ... In the loss, Pavel Datsyuk recorded two points, including this goal after some highway robbery of Roman Josi:
Red Wings fans at Joe Louis Arena put on a pretty sick light show before Game 3:
Conn Smythe Watch: 1. Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings; 2. Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers; 3. Dustin Brown, Los Angeles Kings; 4. Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins; 5. Danny Briere, Philadelphia Flyers; 6. Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals; 7. Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers; 8. Mike Smith, Phoenix Coyotes; 9. Martin Havlat, San Jose Sharks; 10. Sean Couturier, Philadelphia Flyers.
Dishonorable mention: Johan Franzen had a goal overturned after replays showed the puck crossed the line just after time expired in the second period ... Marc-Andre Fleury has allowed 17 goals on 84 shots through three games ... Shanabans coming for James Neal? How 'bout Arron Asham? Fines all around?