Advertisement

Stanley Cup Playoffs Three Stars: Howard, Price shine; Getzlaf leads Ducks

Stanley Cup Playoffs Three Stars: Howard, Price shine; Getzlaf leads Ducks

No. 1 Star: Jimmy Howard, Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings went into TD Garden and upset the Boston Bruins 1-0 in Game 1 thanks to a 25-save shutout from Howard. The game was scoreless until late in the third period when Pavel Datsyuk pulled some sorcerey for the game's only goal.

No. 2 Star: Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim captain has had an eventful three days. On Wednesday, he took a puck to the face. Then Thursday night, he and his wife had a baby girl. During Game 2 Friday night he scored a first period goal and assisted on what would eventually stand as the game-winner as the Ducks went up 2-0 on the Dallas Stars with a 3-2 victory.

No. 3 Star: Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens

Montreal took control of home ice against the Tampa Bay Lightning with a 4-1 win in Game 2 to take a 2-0 series lead. Price stopped 26 shots and Rene Bourque scored a pair of goals for the Canadiens. Bourque now has five goals in his last 12 playoff games.

Honorable mention: P.K. Subban recorded a pair of assists on Montreal's first two goals ... Bourque's first goal came in pretty fashion ... Tuukka Rask stopped 23 shots in a losing effort ... Frederik Andersen made 34 saves for the Ducks.

Did you know? "Reilly Smith became the first Bruin to face his brother in a playoff games since Phil Esposito played against Chicago goalie Tony Esposito in 1975. Brendan Smith plays defense for Detroit." (AP)

Dishonorable mention: Milan Lucic will probably be fined for this cup check on Danny DeKeyser ... Anders Lindback allowed three goals on 23 shots and was pulled late in the third period.