4 Stars

#1 - Michael Leighton (G - PHI) - With all the attention on Halak, it's easy to forget about the guy on the far end of the rink, but Leighton is making the most of his opportunities.  He shutdown Cammalleri and the Canadiens with a shutout performance in game 1, stopping all 28 shots he faced.  He is riding a shutout streak of 105 minutes going into game 2.

#2 - Antti Niemi (G - CHI) - The Sharks didn't hold back in game one, firing 45 shots on the Chicago net; however, Niemi allowed just one puck to get behind him.

#3 - Evgeni Nabokov (G - SJ) - He didn’t get the victory, but that doesn't diminish his performance.  Nabokov was solid for San Jose, stopping 38 of 40 shots in the opening contest against Chicago.

#4 - Dustin Byfuglien (F - CHI) - Byfuglien fired home the game winner in the third period against the Sharks, continuing his strong offensive play from Round 2.

Injury Update:

• Still no official date for Andrei Markov to return, although he continues to skate in practice.

Player Notes:

• Five Flyers finished the 6-0 romp with a goal and an assist, showing that this team has balance to its attack: Giroux, Van Riemsdyk, Briere, Hartnell, and Coburn.  Matt Carle and Ville Leino also contributed with 2 assists each.
• Simon Gagne continues to roll since coming back from injury, scoring in his 5th straight game
• Jaroslav Halak was broken in game 1, as he was against the Penguins.  He was pulled after allowing 4 goals on just 14 shots.  Carey Price didn't storm the castle in his return, allowing 2 goals on 11 shots.  Look for Montreal to go right back to Halak in game 2.
• Niklas Backstrom signed a 10 year extension to stay in Washington.  The Caps now have the two most important pieces of their team locked up for the next decade.