NHL Three Stars: Johnson’s trick leads Lightning

No. 1 Star: Tyler Johnson, Tampa Bay Lightning

The center tallied the first hat trick in franchise history, increasing his goal total to 11 for the playoffs in the Bolts’ 6-2 win over the New York Rangers. 

No. 2 Star: Ben Bishop, Tampa Bay Lightning

The blowout really got rolling in the third period; before that, it took a strong effort by Bish in the second period to maintain the lead. He finished with 35 saves.

No. 3 Star: Chris Kreider, New York Rangers

Kreider had a goal and an assist in a losing effort, that included a roughing penalty in the first period.

Honorable Mention: Alex Killorn had two goals and an assist for the Lightning. … Steven Stamkos has a goal and an assist. … Nikita Kucherov had three assists. … Derek Stepan had the Rangers’ other goal.   

Did You Know? The Rangers have split the first two games of a series in eight of their last 12 series.

Dishonorable Mention: Dan Boyle and Martin St. Louis both had two assists and were a minus-2. … The teams combined for 12 minor penalties, on which there were five power-play goals scored. … Rick Nash was scoreless with two shots on goal.