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Stanley Cup Playoffs Three Stars: Marleau plays hero for Sharks; Habs eliminate Lightning

Stanley Cup Playoffs Three Stars: Marleau plays hero for Sharks; Habs eliminate Lightning

No. 1 Star: Patrick Marleau, San Jose Sharks 

The Sharks forward recorded a two point night with a goal and an assist as San Jose beat the Los Angeles Kings in overtime 4-3 to take a 3-0 series lead. After Tomas Hertl's goal midway through the third period tied the game, it was Marleau who ended things 6:20 into the extra period:

No. 2 Star: Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins

Rask stopped 23 shots as the Bruins shutout the Detroit Red Wings 3-0 to take a 2-1 series lead. The shutout was the fourth for Rask in his playoff career. Patrice Bergeron assisted on Dougie Hamilton's opening power play goal and later added an empty-netter, while Jordan Caron scored his first goal since Oct. 5.

No. 3 Star: Max Pacioretty, Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens completed the sweep of the Tampa Bay Lightning with a 4-3 victory on Pacioretty's winner with 43 seconds to go in the third period. They now wait to face the winner of Boston-Detroit. After building a 3-1 lead, the Lightning made a third period comeback, but a late penalty helped seal their fate and end their season:

Honorable mention: The sweep was Montreal's first since their 1993 run to the Stanley Cup ... 11 different Canadiens recorded a point ... Dan Girardi and Martin St. Louis each scored a goal and recorded an assist, while Henrik Lundqvist stopped 31 shots as the New York Rangers downed the Philadelphia Flyers 4-1 to take a 2-1 series lead. The Rangers blocked 28 shots to the Flyers' 11 ... Victor Hedman should have called "bank!" on this goal:

Did You Know?: "The Sharks have won five straight overtime playoff games and 10 of their past 11, with Marleau scoring four game-winning goals during that remarkable stretch." [AP]

Dishonorable mention: Anders Lindback was pulled for the second time in three games after allowing three goals on 20 shots.