By Jay Clemons, SI.com
1. Marian Hossa, Penguins: It's funny how a player's reputation can change in an instant. Prior to Game 5, Hossa had been labeled as an enigmatic forward whose all-world talents were normally reserved for meaningless nights in November and December -- and not the pressure-packed months of April and May. But on Sunday, the Czech native tallied a pair of bookend goals in the Pens' series-clinching 3-2 OT win over the Rangers, the latter which punched Pittsburgh's ticket into the Eastern finals, aka The Keystone Cup.
In the second period, Hossa broke a scoreless tie with a beautiful shot past Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist at 8:45. Hossa would require some serendipity in overtime, though. After Pascal Dupuis attempted a give-and-go pass to Sidney Crosby down the left side, the puck inadvertently bounced off Rangers blueliner Dan Girardi and right to the ever-present stick of Hossa, who cleanly beat Lundqvist again for the winning goal.
2. Marty Turco, Stars: This honor for No. 2 could have easily gone to Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov, who stopped 53 Dallas shots in the gut-wrenching loss on Sunday night, or Stars forward Brenden Morrow, whose goal at the 129th minute ended the eighth-longest game in NHL history ... But to the victor goes the spoils, or in this case, the guy who recorded 61 saves (including a flurry in the first overtime) and led the Stars to their first Western finals since 2000.
3. Sidney Crosby, Penguins: The reigning Hart Trophy winner had a relatively quiet night (three shots) but still played a major role in the Penguins' movement into the East finals, assisting on both Marian Hossa goals -- including the game-winner in overtime. It should come as no surprise that Crosby, the driving force behind Pittsburgh's sublime offensive attack (31 goals in nine games), now has 14 playoff points and an NHL-best 12 assists in the postseason.
Melissa Haro
Daniela Hantuchova
Did You See That?
College Football Top 25 Review
Comments (10) Add A Comment
I watched that Sharks-Stars 4 overtimer and Nabokov should get a star instead of Crosby as he saved like 20 point blank shots in the OTs before finally surrendering the winner as his teammates let him down by only getting one goal in the equivalent of two hockey games.
Cassidy's House:…
Whatsittoya, NO
Total Comments (16281)
wow was at the stars game and what a game!! Morrow should be up here though as the stars would have been done if it wasn't for him, he deserves the C on his sweater and bring it on detroit!!
dallasfanthickandthi…
De Soto, TX
Total Comments (585)
The Stars surely would have won in game 7 so I dont buy they would have been done w/o Morrow. Eight other Stars should have had goals in OT if it wasnt for Nabokov.
Cassidy's House:…
Whatsittoya, NO
Total Comments (16281)
Cassidy
You have a point that the stars played well but players feed off of each other. Morrow was putting off enough energy to fuel a whole team. I can't remember the last time I saw a Dallas Star play like such a man possessed. You take away Morrow and you don't just lose his scoring chances. You lose his scrapping for pucks in the corner, his HUGE hit Milan Michalek which took him out of the game and his overall tenacity. You can't just count Morrow's shot/s.
I agree though as to Nabakov deserving a star. This was a classic duel. The only problem was that there was someone on the other end of the ice that did it one better. You don't typically see two opposing goalies both get stars since one has to lose but it doesn't mean that Nabokov wasn't brilliant. They mention all 3 of these players so I think they did them all justice.
TheDude
Total Comments (1233)
Cindy Crosby shouldnt be the 3rd star.. Malkin or even Malone did more for the Pens yesterday.
GEO
Sarasota , FL
Total Comments (57)
Geo, Sidney Crosby set up the first score and the winning score. All you ranger fans say you hate whiners. Who's whining now?
rndfn
Hughesville , PA
Total Comments (4)
How are Turco and Nabokov not 1-2 on the list? They both made over 50 saves in six and a half periods of hockey. Sure, Hossa and Crosby had nice games, but the athletic saves these goalies made stole the show and created a game for the ages.
TheDeity
Shelbyville, IN
Total Comments (389)
i agree...turco deserves the star, so does nabokov (says a stars fan). that goal tending was some of the most intense stuff i've seen in a long time. props to both those guys.
Bojiggidy
San Antonio , TX
Total Comments (5)
Turco and Nabokov both deserve stars. No question. It'll be a long time from now that we get to see another duel like that. That was GREAT hockey!
alasharky
Alameda , CA
Total Comments (2)
Agreed on both Turco and Nabokov. They both deserve top honors this week.
mero909
Dallas, TX
Total Comments (65)
Comment
Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.