No. 1 Star: Alex Burrows, Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks winger had an adventurous night: Goals, a penalty shot failure, an untimely penalty and a key turnover. But the bottom line is that Burrows opened and closed the scoring for Vancouver in its 2-1 Game 7 victory over their postseason tormentors, the Chicago Blackhawks. The Canucks move on to play the Predators in Round 2.
No. 2 Star: Michael Cammalleri, Montreal Canadiens
The Habs forced a Game 7 in their series against the Boston Bruins thanks in part to Cammalleri's efforts. He opened the scoring in the first period on 5-on-3 power play, converting a P.K. Subban pass on a one-timer. In the second, he picked up a secondary assist on Brian Gionta's eventual game-winner, via another 5-on-3 power play. Montreal won, 2-1, as the series shifts back to Boston for Game 7.
No. 3 Star: Danny Briere, Philadelphia Flyers
Briere factored into the Flyers' first two goals in their 5-2 Game 7 rout of the Buffalo Sabres. He assisted on Braydon Coburn's first-period goal that went off the glove of Mike Grier, giving Ryan Miller a tap on the mask on the way through the crease. In the second, he scored his sixth of the postseason on the power play.
Honorable mention: James van Riemsdyk, Ville Leino and Dan Carcillo had the other goals for the Flyers. Brian Boucher made 26 saves. … Tyler Myers and Brad Boyes scored their first of the playoffs for the Sabres. … Corey Crawford was incredible for the Blackhawks, stopping 36 high-quality chances. ... Roberto Luongo finally defeated the Blackhawks after two playoff eliminations, making 31 saves. … Carey Price made 31 saves for the Habs. … Dennis Seidenberg had the lone Boston goal. … Finally, this Jonathan Toews shorthanded goal to tie the game in the third was remarkable:
Did you know? No team has won a playoff series without scoring a power-play goal since Anaheim swept Detroit in the first round in 2003. Boston has yet to score one. (AP)
Dishonorable mention: Milan Lucic was given a 5-minute major and a game misconduct for his hit on Jaroslav Spacek. … Briere also had a dangerous hit on Rob Niedermayer, earning a 2-minute minor for boarding. ... Ryan Miller was pulled after 41:59, having given up four goals on 28 shots. … The Sabres were outshot 16-2 in the first period. … Boston gave Montreal two 5-on-3 power plays, and the Habs converted both. … Chris Kelly took a high-sticking penalty late in the third period that helped quell a Boston rally.
Conn Smythe Watch 1. Danny Briere, Philadelphia Flyers; 2. Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings; 3. Ryane Clowe, San Jose Sharks; 4. Michal Neuvirth, Washington Capitals; 5. Michael Cammalleri, Montreal Canadiens; 6. Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks; 7. Mike Fisher, Nashville Predators; 8. Martin St. Louis. Tampa Bay Lightning; 9. Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins; 10. Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers.