NHL Three Stars: Rangers survive; Ducks push Flames to brink

No. 1 Star: Derek Stepan, New York Rangers

Stepan set up the game-tying goal by Chris Kreider and game-winning goal by Ryan McDonagh in the Rangers’ Game 5 win over the Washington Capitals, 2-1. They now trail in the series, 3-2.   

No. 2 Star: Jakob Silfverberg, Anaheim Ducks

The Ducks forward opened the scoring with a power-play goal, and then assisted on Matt Beleskey’s third-period power-play game-winning goal as Anaheim topped the Calgary Flames, 4-2, in Game 4 of their series.

No. 3 Star: Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers

The Rangers goalie once against was great in a potential elimination game, stopping 28 shots in their Game 5 win.

Honorable Mention: Andrew Cogliano and Patrick Maroon had goals for the Ducks. … Frederik Andersen made 25 saves. … Michael Ferland and Sean Monahan had goals for the Flames. … Curtis Glencross scored his first of the playoffs. … Braden Holtby made 41 saves for the Caps. 

Did You Know? Matt Beleskey has one goal in each of the first four games of the series, joining Teemu Selanne as the only other Anaheim player to score in Games 1-4 of a playoff series. (NHL)

Dishonorable Mention: Joe Colborne had a double-minor for high-sticking Francois Beachemin. … Kris Russell was a minus-2. … Joel Ward had a Capitals’ goal waived off after the refs said he interfered with Henrik Lundqvist.