Wednesday’s Three Stars: Bruins, Bolts advance; Ference hit ban?

No. 1 Star: Dwayne Roloson, Tampa Bay Lightning

The veteran keeper improved to 6-0 in elimination games, shutting out the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 7, 1-0. Roloson made 36 saves, getting strong support from his teammates but making several key stops in a 14-save third period.

No. 2 Star: Nathan Horton, Boston Bruins

Horton's second OT game-winner of the series eliminated the Montreal Canadiens in Game 7. After Adam McQuaid forced a turnover, Milan Lucic found an open Horton who blasted the puck past Carey Price (30 saves) at 5:43 of overtime for the 4-3 victory.

No. 3 Star: Tomas Plekanec, Montreal Canadiens

The Habs center scored a pivotal shorthanded goal in the second period to tie the game at 2-2, and then sent a cross-ice feed to P.K. Subban for another game-tying goal on the power play that sent the game to overtime. His 25:25 time on ice was second on the team and he was even for the game. One drawback: He was dominated to the tune of a .200 winning percentage on faceoffs.

Honorable mention: Sean Bergenheim had the game-winner for the Lightning, on a nice backhand feed in back of the net from Dominic Moore. … Yannick Weber had the other Habs goal; Johnny Boychuk, Mark Recchi and Chris Kelly (his third of the playoffs) had the Habs goals. … Tim Thomas made 34 saves.

Did you know? The Lightning became the 24th NHL team in 244 tries to come back from a 3-1 series deficit and advance.

Dishonorable mention: Boston finished 0-for-21 on the power play. … The Pittsburgh power play finished 1-for-35 for the series. … Mike Cammalleri, Brian Gionta and Scott Gomez were minus-3. … Andrew Ference is due to have a hearing with the NHL for this collision with Jeff Halpern behind the play:

Conn Smythe Watch: 1. Danny Briere, Philadelphia Flyers, 2. Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings; 3. Ryane Clowe, San Jose Sharks; 4. Michal Neuvirth, Washington Capitals; 5. Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks; 6. Mike Fisher, Nashville Predators; 7. Martin St. Louis. Tampa Bay Lightning; 8. Nathan Horton, Boston Bruins; 9. Dwayne Roloson, Tampa Bay Lightning; 10. Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers.

Orlando Magic Charlotte Bobcats New Orleans Hornets NHL San Diego Padres