Kovalchuk scored a crucial insurance goal on the power play in the third period, leading the Devils to a 3-1 victory to eliminate the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 5. He also had a secondary assist on Bryce Salvador's game-tying tally in the first. Said Kovalchuk after the game: "For the first time in nine years, I'm not going to the World Championship. It's fun."
No. 2 Star: Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils
Brodeur made 27 saves, including 10 in the third period, to back-stop the Devils to victory.
No. 3 Star: David Clarkson, New Jersey Devils
Clarkson's aggressive forecheck on Ilya Bryzgalov helped force the Flyers' goalie into a huge gaffe in the first period that resulted into the game-winning goal — an attempted pass that went off of Clarkson's stick shaft.
Honorable mention: Adam Henrique had two assists. … Max Talbot's fourth of the playoffs gave the Flyers an early lead. … Danny Briere had an assist and was 14 of 21 on faceoffs. … This Zac Rinaldo hit on Anton Volchenkov, after the A-Train hit Brayden Schenn, was awesome:
Conn Smythe Watch: 1. Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings; 2. Mike Smith, Phoenix Coyotes; 3. Brad Richards, New York Rangers; 4. Ilya Kovalchuk, New Jersey Devils; 5. Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers; 6. Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals; 7. Dustin Brown, Los Angeles Kings; 8. Travis Zajac, New Jersey Devils; 9. Mike Richards, Los Angeles Kings; 10. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Phoenix Coyotes
Dishonorable mention: This Bryzgalov gaffe was a back-breaker for the Flyers. … Wayne Simmonds and James van Riemsdyk were both a minus-2; the latter taking a penalty that resulted in Kovalchuk's goal.
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