SportsLine.com brings the stars of each game's action throughout the playoffs.
Eric Desjardins, D, Philadelphia Flyers
Eric Desjardins(Allsport) When Eric Desjardins took over the captaincy of the Philadelphia Flyers a few weeks ago, he made it clear he intended to take his new leadership role very seriously. He showed just how serious he was in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals against Buffalo, logging more than 25 minutes of ice time, including several crucial shifts in the tight third period, as the Flyers edged the Sabres 2-1 to take a 2-0 series lead. Desjardins was an imposing force in his own end, clearing shots and Sabres away from this net with the same reckless abandon. Oh yes, he also contributed at the other end, blasting a low slap shot from the point past Dominik Hasek early in the third period for a goal that proved to be the winner.
Mark Recchi, RW, Philadelphia Flyers
Mark Recchi(Allsport) The Flyers kept the Sabres off-balance throughout the night with their tenacious forechecking led by their gritty little right winger, Mark Recchi. Matching up against Buffalo's high-scoring Miroslav Satan most of the evening, Recchi was on the ice for more than 19 minutes, playing an aggressive game that helped his team keep most of the play in the Sabres end. Recchi also made the key play of the game when he hustled over to the left point and kept the puck in Buffalo's end twice on the same power play, a sequence of action that set up the play on which Desjardins scored the winning goal.