APEntering Game 5, Anaheim Ducks defenseman Ben Lovejoy's last two assists came on what would be the eventual game-winning goals in 3-1 wins over the Detroit Red Wings in Game 1 and versus the Vancouver Canucks on April 25.

Lovejoy did it for a third time as he set up Nick Bonino's overtime winner to give the Ducks a 3-2 victory and go up 3-2 in the series:

Bonino's goal was his third of the playoffs, tying him with team captain Ryan Getzlaf, who evened the game at two late in the second period.

How good of an omen could knocking out the Red Wings be for Anaheim? The only two times the Ducks gotten by them in the playoffs they would go on to the Stanley Cup Final. Game 6 is Friday at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

Follow Sean Leahy on Twitter at @Sean_Leahy

APSlava Voynov is embracing this hero role he's acquired over the last three games for the Kings.

The LA defenseman scored his second game-winning goal of the series in a 3-2 overtime victory over the St. Louis Blues in Game 5. The Kings head back to Staples Center on Friday night with a chance to eliminate the Blues for the second straight year.

After netting the only goal in LA's 1-0 win in Game 3, Voynov helped create the winning goal by denying Blues forward Jaden Schwartz a shot at one end, then coming down and beating Brian Elliott five-hold at the other end:

After Jeff Carter's second of the game 54 seconds into the third period gave the Kings a 2-1 lead, it was looking like the game would end in regulation, but Alex Pietrangelo's seeing-eye shot from the point beat Jonathan Quick with 44.1 seconds to go to force overtime.

How big have Voynov's contributions been? Including playoffs, the Kings are undefeated in the last 10 games he's scored a goal.

Follow Sean Leahy on Twitter at @Sean_Leahy

APDion Phaneuf thought he could pinch and keep the puck in the Boston Bruins zone. He was wrong and the puck caromed off the boards to David Krejci, who would go up ice on and a 2-on-1 and finish his hat trick in overtime for a 4-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs:

The hat trick was the second of Krejci's playoff career. The series heads back to Boston on Friday with the Bruins up 3-1.

Things were looking bright for the Maple Leafs early on as they grabbed a 2-0 first period lead. As they are this time of year, special teams played a huge role in the swinging of momentum as the Bruins scored on two of their five power plays, both of which helped them take the lead in the second period. Toronto was unable to capitalize on any of their four opportunities.

As the Maple Leafs attempt to avoid elimination, they may do so without defenseman Mark Fraser, who took a puck to the head in the third period. He did not return to the game and went to a local hospital for a CT scan, according to head coach Randy Carlyle.

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Here are your Puck Previews: Spotlighting the key games in NHL action, news and views as well as general frivolity. Make sure to stop back here for the nightly Three Stars when the games are finished.

Getty ImagesPreview: Boston Bruins at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m. ET (Bruins lead 2-1) The Maple Leafs have been carried in this series by the scoring exploits of their top dogs. James Van Riemsdyk, Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul have contributed six of their seven goals through three games. As James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail writes, the secondary scoring has to arrive if they're to get past the Bruins: "Kessel’s rise there has as much to do with a lot of the Leafs depth going silent as his strong play, with van Riemsdyk and Joffrey Lupul the only other forwards managing more than five points in Toronto’s final 12 regular-season games."

Preview: Washington Capitals at New York Rangers, 7:30 p.m. ET. (Caps lead 2-1) According to Ryane Clowe, there's a "good chance" he'll return to the lineup Wednesday night. As important, New York finally broke through on the power play in Game 3 as the Capitals ended up taking six penalties. Special teams have hurt the Rangers so far. Brooks Laich hit the ice for the first time since April 4, but when he'll get back into the lineup is still unknown.

Preview: Los Angeles Kings at St. Louis Blues, 9 p.m. ET (Series tied 2-2) After finding themselves in an 0-2 hole, the Kings took advantage of home ice and won both games at Staples Center to even the series. Entering Game 5, it appears as if Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock will reunite the "CPR" line of Adam Cracknell, Chris Porter and Ryan Reaves.

APUNIONDALE, N.Y. -- Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma wouldn't tip his hand about whether or not he'll turn to Tomas Vokoun for Game 5 against the New York Islanders on Thursday, but listening to him speak after the game, the idea will be strongly considered.

The Islanders' 6-4 win Tuesday night tied the series 2-2 and caused the idea of switching from Marc-Andre Fleury to Vokoun to go from media speculation to what appears to be a no-brainer of a decision.

“Tomas Vokoun’s a guy that can step in and play," said Bylsma. "He’s had success and won hockey games against this team this year. We’re going to regroup and come back and come out for Game 5 with a new focus.”

Getty ImagesUNIONDALE, N.Y. -- New York Islanders' defenseman Travis Hamonic arrived at the Nassau Coliseum at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday before Game 3 and he encountered a parking lot that was already buzzing with excitement. Fans were tailgating, honking their horns to the tune of "Let's Go Islanders!" and reigning choruses of boos every time a Pittsburgh Penguins fan was in the vicinity.

The atmosphere from the parking lot transferred into the rink later that day as the Islanders fed off the electric energy inside the Coliseum and built up a 2-0 lead within the opening six minutes of the game.

“When I was on the blueline for the national anthem, it was pretty deafening," said Hamonic after the Islanders morning skate on Tuesday. "My ears were hurting a little bit at the end. I was thinking ‘Oh boy, this might be a long night.’”

As the Islanders marched their way into the Eastern Conference's No. 8 seed, the buzz in the Coliseum began to grow, along with the number of fans in the seats.

“Down the stretch, especially, we really got used to playing in front of a crowd that was like that," said Hamonic. "Last game was a couple levels above what we’ve been used to, but we knew we had to get the crowd involved. We know that that is something that is in our back pocket and something that can really help us.”

The towel-waving and the "Let's Go Islanders!" chants were halted, however, when the Penguins used a 5-on-3 advantage to score twice in 19 seconds to tie the game, then later grab a 3-2 lead before the first period ended. The energy from the crowd eventually came back when the Islanders tied the game in the third period, but the Penguins know that they will have to withstand the emotion that will once again fuel their opponents early in Game 4 Tuesday night.

“We just have to be smart, manage the puck a lot better, get it in deep, spend some time in their zone and try not to give up two quick ones to get the crowd into it early," said Paul Martin. "Hopefully take the play to them early.”

Special teams have played a big role through the first three games, with the Penguins capitalizing on 6 of their 13 power play opportunities. Islanders head coach Jack Capuano has stressed the importance of improving the penalty kill, especially with counterpart Dan Bylsma's ability to throw Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Chris Kunitz, Jarome Iginla and Kris Letang over the boards on the power play.

“We’ve got to play almost perfect hockey to win against this team," said Capuano. "We have one breakdown, it’s in the back of our net. They can have four breakdowns, we might not get a goal.”

So far, despite the Penguins talent and outside of Game 1, the Islanders have played the series tight at even strength, trailing Pittsburgh 7-6 in goals during 5-on-5 play. Despite the lack of playoff experience on his roster, Capuano has watched his young players rise to the occasion when needed, especially down the stretch when the Islanders were battling to get into the playoffs, then in Games 2 and 3 to overcome deficits and lost leads.

After overcoming their flat start in Game 1, the Islanders haven't let adversity take them out of this series. Nor will they allow their underdog status to affect their approach.

“We’ve matured and we believe,” said Capuano.

Follow Sean Leahy on Twitter at @Sean_Leahy

Getty ImagesNo. 1 Star: Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Ottawa Senators

The Senators rookie tallied his first NHL hat trick, regular season and playoffs, during Ottawa's 6-1 rout of the Montreal Canadiens to take a 2-1 lead in the series. To top it all off, he also lost a tooth:

No. 2 Star: Logan Couture, San Jose Sharks

Both Couture and Joe Pavelski netted pairs of goals at important times during San Jose's 5-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks. Pavelski scored his two in the first and second periods to give the Sharks a 2-0 lead. Alex Burrows would cut the lead to one for the Canucks entering the final period, but then Couture stepped up and put home two on the power play within the opening 4:07, a span which saw San Jose score three times and change the complexion of the game. He would also add a pair of assists for a 4-point night. San Jose has never swept an opponent in the playoffs in franchise history.

No. 3 Star: Chris Kunitz, Pittsburgh Penguins

Kunitz's overtime winner helped the Penguins survive Game 3 against the New York Islanders and take a 2-1 series lead with a 5-4 victory. The goal was his second of the night, assisted by Sidney Crosby, who finished with three assists and drew the penalty in overtime that led to the winning goal.

Ottawa Senators rookie Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored twice in nine regular season games and was pointless through the first two in their series against the Montreal Canadiens. With Game 3 knotted at one early in the second period, Pageau broke the tie with his first NHL playoff goal. It was a goal he'll never forget for more than one reason: he lost a tooth in the process:

There was a delayed high-sticking call on P.K. Subban as soon as Pageau shot the puck. It would have been a double minor due to the loss of a tooth/presence of blood, but because the shot was a goal, the Canadiens defenseman was given only two minutes, as per NHL rule 15.3:

Calling a Double-minor Penalty – Goal Scored - When the penalty to be imposed is applicable under Rule 48 for Head-butting or Rule 58 Butt-ending, Rule 60 High-sticking or Rule 62 Spearing, and a goal is scored, two minutes of the appropriate penalty will be assessed to the offending player. (This will be announced as a double-minor for the appropriate foul and the player will serve two (2) minutes only.)

Pageau would finish the night with a hat trick, scoring his final goal of the night during a third period where both benches were sparse due to a line brawl.

We know players like to keep their first goal pucks, but will Pageau pair up his hat trick pucks with the lost tooth in a frame?

This has become the "missing teeth series" after Carey Price and Craig Anderson lost chiclets in the opening two games. Who will be the lucky one in Game 4?

Follow Sean Leahy on Twitter at @Sean_Leahy