1st Star: Andre Burakovsky, Washington Capitals
After being benched earlier in the series, Burakovsky responded in a big way in Game 7 scoring twice as the Capitals moved on to the Stanley Cup Final with a 4-0 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
2nd Star: Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals
Holtby finished the Eastern Conference Final in a strong way, posting a second straight shutout while making 29 saves. The Capitals netminder has not allowed a goal since 33 seconds into the second period of Game 5.
Per @EliasSports
— Darin Stephens (@SharksStats) May 24, 2018
Shutouts in gms 6 & 7 of series, #StanleyCup Playoff history:
H. Lumley DET 1950 vs TOR (Semifinal)
C. Joseph EDM 1998 vs COL (WQF)
D. Hasek DET 2002 vs COL (WCF)
H. Lundqvist NYR 2013 vs WSH (EQF)
B. Holtby WSH 2018 vs TB (ECF)
3rd Star: Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
The captain only needed 62 seconds to open the scoring and quiet the AMALIE Arena crowd.
[Ovechkin, Capitals headed to Stanley Cup Final after Game 7 triumph]
Highlight of the Night:
A wild first period included a tilt between Tom Wilson and Braydon Coburn:
Factoid of the Night:
DYK? @ovi8’s goal at 1:02 of the first period is tied for the ninth-fastest to begin a #Game7 in NHL history. #NHLStats #WSHvsTBL #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/q0PeZWJFiu
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 24, 2018
Stanley Cup Final schedule
Game 1 Monday, May 28 - Capitals at Golden Knights, 8 p.m. ET (NBC)
Game 2 Wednesday, May 30 - Capitals at Golden Knights, 8 p.m. ET (NBCSN)
Game 3 Saturday, June 2 - Golden Knights at Capitals, 8 p.m. ET (NBCSN)
Game 4 Monday, June 4 - Golden Knights at Capitals, 8 p.m. ET (NBC)
Game 5* Thursday, June 7 - Capitals at Golden Knights, 8 p.m. ET (NBC)
Game 6* Sunday, June 10 - Golden Knights at Capitals, 8 p.m. ET (NBC)
Game 7* Wednesday, June 13 - Capitals at Golden Knights, 8 p.m. ET (NBC)
* = If necessary
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Sean Leahy is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @Sean_Leahy.