NHL Three Stars: Kane leads Blackhawks to Game 5 win
No. 1 Star: Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks star became Hatrick Kane in Game 5, sending the Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup Final with a three-goal effort – including the series-winning goal at 11:40 of overtime. Chicago advanced to the Cup Final with a 4-3 win.
No. 2 Star: Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings
Kopitar broke a series-long slump with a power-play goal – a rarity against the Blackhawks – and an assist on Mike Richards’ game-tying goal with less than 10 seconds remaining in regulation.
No. 3 Star: Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks
Crawford made some critical stops in his 33-save effort, and most importantly wasn’t the liability his foe across the ice was in the first period. Overall, Crawford outplayed Quick in the five-game series win.
Honorable mention: Duncan Keith opened the scoring in his first game back from his one-game suspension. … Dwight King scored a shorthanded goal, set up by some Justin Williams hustle, for the Kings. … Jonathan Toews and Bryan Bickell had two assists each.
Conn Smythe Watch: 1. David Krejci, Boston Bruins; 2. Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins; 3. Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks; 4. Bryan Bickell, Chicago Blackhawks; 5. Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins; 6. Nathan Horton, Boston Bruins; 7. Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks; 9. Patrick Sharp, Chicago Blackhawks; 10. Marian Hossa, Chicago Blackhawks.
Dishonorable mention: Dustin Brown and Robyn Regehr were both a minus-3. … Quick gave up a soft goal to Keith and then misplayed a waived off icing call that led to Kane’s goal in the first. … Kane’s second goal came on a somewhat controversial play that saw Justin Williams potentially tripped behind the net by Bickell.
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