No. 1 Star: Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins
Thomas rebounded from allowing five goals in Game 2 to post his second career playoff shutout as the Bruins took a 2-1 series lead by blanking the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-0. Making 31 saves, including 15 in the third period, Thomas earned his 10th win of the playoffs.
No. 2 Star: David Krejci, Boston Bruins
It was an eventful Game 3 for Krejci. He scored Boston's opening goal 1:09 into the game, won 13 of 18 draws and took this big hit from Marc-Andre Bergeron in the first period. .
The goal was Krejci's sixth in his last seven games. He has 11 points over that stretch.
No. 3 Star: Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins
In his first game back in the Bruins' lineup after last playing on May 6, Bergeron won 18 of 28 faceoffs and recorded two shots on goal during 19:13 of ice time.
Honorable mention: Andrew Ference had his most active offensive game since the first round as he scored the Bruins' second goal, finished a plus-2 and put three shots on net ... Dennis Seidenberg (28:30) and Zdeno Chara (28:27) led all players in time on-ice.
Did you know? Thomas is now 4-0 this season in games after allowing five or more goals with two of those wins coming in shutouts. @TSNResearch
Dishonorable mention: Vincent Lecavalier won just nine of 26 faceoffs ... Brett Clark was credited with six giveaways ... Victor Hedman was caught just a tad out of position on Krejci's goal:
Conn Smythe Watch: 1. Ryan Kesler, Vancouver Canucks; 2. Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning; 3. Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins; 4. Sean Bergenheim, Tampa Bay Lightning; 5. Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks; 6. Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks; 7. Dwayne Roloson, Tampa Bay Lightning; 8. Ryane Clowe, San Jose Sharks; 9. Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks; 10. Nathan Horton, Boston Bruins.