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Wednesday’s Three Stars: Devils win; Kreider ties record; Brodeur’s sick save

No. 1 Star: David Clarkson, New Jersey Devils

Clarkson scored the game-winning goal on a redirection past Henrik Lundqvist in the third, leading the Devils to a 3-2 win and a 1-1 series split with the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Final.

No. 2 Star: Chris Kreider, New York Rangers

Kreider scored the Rangers' second goal of the game on the power play in the second period, getting a piece of an Anton Stralman shot. In the process, Kreider tied an NHL record: "Most playoff goals scored in a single postseason by a player who has not yet skated in a regular-season game." Huzzah!

No. 3 Star: Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils

While he did let in a fluky soft goal, many of Brodeur's 23 saves in the Devils' win were of a high quality — none higher than this skate save moments before the Rangers scored in the second:

Honorable mention: Ilya Kovalchuck's power-play goal in the first was his sixth of the postseason. … Ryan Carter scored his second, on a deflection of a Bryce Salvador shot. Salvador had two assists. … Marc Staal was given credit for the "own goal" by Brodeur. … Marek Zidlicky was a plus-2.

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. Mike Smith, Phoenix Coyotes; 7. Mike Richards, Los Angeles Kings; 8. Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings 9. David Clarkson, New Jersey Devils; 10. Jeff Carter, Los Angeles Kings

Dishonorable mention: Marian Gaborik was benched in the third period after a turnover led to the Devils' second goal. … Stu Bickel had one shift in the third and skated a game-low 4:13 for the game. … The Devils' PK, best in the regular season, gave up yet another goal. … Finally, the most dishonorable mention goes to the penalty box door for wasting our time: