No. 1 Star: Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins
After letting one past him 1 minute and 36 seconds into Game 4, Fleury did the job the rest of the way, making 30 saves in the Penguins' 4-1 victory that earned them a second-straight Eastern Conference title. His defense once again played well in front of him, but Fleury made all the stops the Penguins needed him to, especially in a 16-shot second period for the Canes.
No. 2 Star: Bill Guerin, Pittsburgh Penguins
Max Talbot had a three-point night, with a fluky goal and two secondary helpers. But it was Guerin's second-period goal that nearly clinched it for the Penguins. He snagged a Carolina turnover, and then cashed in a Sidney Crosby pass for a 3-1 lead.
No. 3 Star: Eric Staal, Carolina Hurricanes
OK, so the whole "Canes win when Staal scores" thing went out the same window the whole "Cam Ward is unbeatable in Game 2" thing went. But he finally broke through with a goal and had five shots on the night.
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Major Penalty: Anton Babchuk started the postseason as the most lethal weapon on the Carolina blue line. He ends the postseason without a goal scored; and having deflected Talbot's goal and turned the puck over on Guerin's goal in just 10:41 of play in Game 4 of the conference finals. Yuck.
Minor Penalty: Fluky and bizarre goal or not, Cam Ward's whiff on Talbot's shot is immediately placed in the Tommy Salo file for goalie highlight infamy.
Conn Smythe Watch: (The Top 10) 1. Evgeni Malkin, Penguins; 2. Johan Franzen, Detroit Red Wings; 3. Sidney Crosby, Penguins; 4. Henrik Zetterberg, Red Wings; 5. Chris Osgood, Red Wings; 6. Marc-Andre Fleury, Penguins; 7. Marian Hossa, Red Wings; 8. Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks; 9. Nicklas Lidstrom, Red Wings; 10. Dave Bolland, Blackhawks.
