Saturday’s Three Stars: Lundqvist blanks Devils again; Girardi nets another goal

No. 1 Star: Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers

Lundqvist and his teammates did a fine job of frustrating the New Jersey Devils all afternoon during their 3-0 win in Game 3 to take a 2-1 series lead. Lundqvist made 36 saves for his third shutout of the playoffs and second against the Devils. One of his 36 stops was beauty on Ilya Kovalchuk to keep things scoreless early in the second period:

No. 2 Star: Dan Girardi, New York Rangers

Girardi has now scored three time in the playoffs and all three have been credited as game-winners. This was the second straight time he's scored in a 3-0 Rangers win against New Jersey. Girardi's goal came 3:19 into the third period after a Rangers faceoff win in the Devils' defensive zone:

No. 3 Star: Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils

Brodeur was bested by Lundqvist today, but he gave the Devils a fighting chance with 19 saves, including this robbery of Ryan Callahan:

Honorable mention: Through three series now, the Rangers have won Game 1, lost Game 2 and won Game 3 ... Chris Kreider is tied with Dwight King for the lead among all rookies in goals with five and has scored in all three games against New Jersey ... New York continued their shot-blocking dominance winning that battle 19-6.

Conn Smythe Watch: 1. Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings; 2. Dustin Brown, Los Angeles Kings; 3. Brad Richards, New York Rangers; 4. Ilya Kovalchuk, New Jersey Devils; 5. Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers; 6. Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings; 7. Mike Smith, Phoenix Coyotes; 8. Mike Richards, Los Angeles Kings; 9. David Clarkson, New Jersey Devils; 10. Jeff Carter, Los Angeles Kings

Dishonorable mention: The Devils failed to cash in on five power plays ... Will Brandon Prust be disciplined for his elbow to the back of Anton Volchenkov's head?