NHL Three Stars: Prince of Tampa; Preds drop Ducks

No. 1 Star: Shane Prince, New York Islanders 

So are we seeing the John Druce of the 2015-16 playoffs? Prince scored twice in 2:29 near the end of the first period, giving the Islanders a lead they’d never give up the Tampa Bay Lightning in Round 2, Game 1, winning 5-3.

No. 2 Star: Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators

Rinne made 36 saves and got some puck luck in the Preds’ 2-1 Game 7 win over the Anaheim Ducks. He said he packed enough clothes for six days in California, and move on to play San Jose. That’s confidence.

No. 3 Star: Thomas Greiss, New York Islanders

Greiss was outstanding again for the Isles, making 33 saves and surviving a third-period push from Tampa in which they had 17 shots.

Honorable Mention: Nikita Kucherov scored his sixth for the Lightning. … John Tavares scored his sixth for the Islanders. … Paul Gaustad and Colin Wilson had the Predators’ goals. … Ryan Kelser scored the lone Ducks goal.  

Conn Smythe Watch: 1. John Tavares, New York Islanders; 2. Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars; 3. Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals; 4. Joe Pavelski, San Joe Sharks; 5. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning.

Dishonorable Mention: Ben Bishop was pulled in the second period after giving up four goals on 13 shots. … Matt Carle was a minus-2. … Jamie Mcginn was a minus-2. … Corey Perry finished the playoffs with no goals. … Bruce Boudreau dropped to 1-7 in Game 7s.