No. 1 Star: Steve Downie, Tampa Bay Lightning
The pugnacious Bolts winger scored the game-winning goal and assisted on tallies from Teddy Purcell and Sean Bergenheim as the Lightning survived Game 6, defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins, 4-2, to force Game 7. Ryan Malone had the other goal.
No. 2 Star: Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks
The much-maligned playoff performer scored the series-winning goal at 2:22 of overtime to give the Sharks a 4-3 Game 6 win and a trip to the second round. He also assisted on Kyle Wellwood's second-period tally to open the scoring.
No. 3 Star: Trevor Lewis, Los Angeles Kings
The Kings forward had a power-play helper in the second and the game-tying goal in the third period on the power play, playing 16:33 vs. the Sharks. Another strong game for the Kings' grunts.
Honorable mention: Jonathan Quick stopped 31 of 35 shots, while Antti Niemi made 26 saves on 29 shots in the Kings/Sharks Game 6. Niemi got better as the game went on. … Justin Williams and Ryan Smyth had the Kings goals. … Dany Heatley scored an unassisted goal in the third. … Pascal Dupuis and Jordan Staal had the Penguins' goals. … Dwayne Roloson made 27 saves on 29 shots, including this incredible sequence:
Did you know? Rob Scuderi briefly left the game in the second period after taking a skate blade near his eye in a collision with Sharks D Niclas Wallin along the boards. (AP)
Dishonorable mention: Jamie McGinn was given a 5-minute major and a game misconduct late in the third period for charging. But the Kings didn't score on that man advantage. … The Penguins power play is now 1-for-30. ... This was not the best penalty shot attempt for Chris Conner.
Conn Smythe Watch 1. Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings; 2. Ryane Clowe, San Jose Sharks; 3. Michal Neuvirth, Washington Capitals; 4. Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks; 5. Mike Fisher, Nashville Predators; 6. Danny Briere, Philadelphia Flyers; 7. Martin St. Louis. Tampa Bay Lightning; 8. Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins; 9. Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres; 10. Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks;