NHL Three Stars: Backlund buries Ducks in OT; Kane's goal holds over Wild

No. 1 Star: Mikael Backlund, Calgary Flames

The forward’s goal at the 4:24 mark of overtime sent Calgary to a 4-3 win pushed the Flames’ second-round series with Anaheim to a 2-1 Ducks lead. Along with the big goal, Backlund played 24:46, most amongst Calgary forwards.

No. 2 Star, Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks

In late February, it appeared bleak as to whether Kane could make it this far into the playoffs. He had just broken his clavicle and was out 12 weeks. Well, he’s back, and he scored the only goal in Chicago’s 1-0 win over Minnesota to put its series against the Wild at 3-0 in Chicago's favor.

No. 3. Star: Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks

Crawford has come a long way since allowing nine goals against Nashville in Games 1 and 2 of the Blackhawks’ first round series. He stopped 30 of 30 shots on goal to carry Chicago over a desperate Wild team. The Blackhawks only mustered 22 shots on goal on Minnesota.

Honorable Mention: Chicago forwards Patrick Sharp and Andrew Shaw picked up the assists on Kane’s goal … Minnesota goaltender Devan Dubnyk stopped 21 of 22 Chicago shots on goal. Normally that would be enough for a win … Anaheim forward Ryan Getzlaf notched two assists and won 64 percent of his face offs … Ducks center Ryan Kesler notched one assist and won 75 percent of his face offs … Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau tied Calgary’s game with Anaheim with 19.5 seconds left in the third period.

Did You Know?: Gaudreau’s goal at 19:40 of the third period was the latest game-tying goal in Flames history.

Dishonorable Mention: Ducks goaltender Frederik Andersen stopped 17 of 21 shots on goal … The loss for Anaheim was its first of the playoffs … In the series against Chicago, Minnesota defenseman Ryan Suter is a minus-4 and has one assist in three games.

MORE FROM YAHOO HOCKEY