No. 1 Star: Brandon Dubinsky, New York Rangers
Each time the Rangers grabbed the lead, the Washington Capitals came right back to even the score, except after Dubinsky's goal with 1:39 left in regulation to secure a 3-2 victory. Washington now leads the series 2-1. Sporting a new mustache, Dubinsky powered his way to the net and received two fortunate bounces before the puck finally crossed the line to give New York the lead for good and a lifeline in the series.
No. 2 Star: Mike Fisher, Nashville Predators
Fisher continued his recent run of production by potting the game-winning goal as the Predators edged the Anaheim Ducks 4-3 to take a 2-1 lead in their series. After getting into a scrap with Ryan Getzlaf in the second period, Fisher fell an assist short of notching a Gordie Howe Hat Trick. After watching Teemu Selanne score twice in a 30-second span in the second period to erase a 2-0 Nashville lead, the Predators tallied two of their own in the third, with Fisher's winner coming with 9:39 to go:
No. 3 Star: Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks
Sedin set up Vancouver's first goal that tied the game at one and then their last that was the difference in a 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks to take a commanding 3-0 lead. Christian Ehrhoff and Daniel Sedin scored the other two goals for the Canucks, while Roberto Luongo made 30 saves.
Honorable mention: After blocking five shots this afternoon, Rangers defensemen Dan Girardi is tied for the playoff lead with 14 through three games ... Ryan Suter led all players with 27:22 in time on ice and finished with two assists and a plus-2 ... Luongo wins your "Save of the Night" with this robbery of Patrick Kane:
Did you know? Today's loss was the first in regulation for the Capitals with Jason Arnott in their lineup (12-1-1).
Dishonorable mention: Is another suspension coming for Raffi Torres after his blindside hit on Brent Seabrook? ... John Scott was inserted into the Blackhawks lineup to help make a difference. Seven seconds after his interference penalty, Christian Ehrhoff evened the game at one ... Referee Chris Rooney had to leave the Rangers-Capitals game in the second after suffering a leg injury that will keep him out for the remainder of the playoffs ... Finally, New York thought they had taken a 2-1 lead in the dying moments of the second period before the goal call was overturned after time had expired before the puck crossed the line:
Conn Smythe Watch: 1. Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens 2. Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks; 3. Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings; 4. Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks; 5. Michael Neuvirth, Washington Capitals; 6. Shea Weber, Nashville Predators; 7. Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings; 8. Mike Fisher, Nashville Predators; 9. Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals; 10. Teemu Selanne, Anaheim Ducks.