Keith, Ryder, Clowe comprise Thursday's Three Stars

1. Duncan Keith, Blackhawks -- In fewer than 20 minutes of play (18:53 to be precise), last season's Norris Trophy winner put four points on the score sheet. Keith's cannons from the blue line left Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo shellshocked and on the bench by the second period. Keith had two goals and two assists in Chicago's second straight rout of the Canucks, setting up another game at the Madhouse on Madison Sunday.

Keith was one of the most criticized Chicago players amidst the team's eighth-place finish and 3-0 series deficit to the Canucks -- and not without reason. He was a minus-4 with one point in the first three losses, following up a regular-season in which his scoring dropped sharply from the year before. Keith has since responded with play that still shows why he holds the title of a defending Stanley Cup champion.

2. Michael Ryder, Bruins -- Speaking of players who know what it's like to be maligned by the media ... Ryder, like Keith, put it right back in the faces of the Knights of the Keyboard with a clutch, sharpshooter's special against the Canadiens, his former team, in Boston's 5-4 overtime win. Ryder had two shots on net, and both beat Carey Price, none sweeter for the ex-Hab than his OT winner off a brilliant feed from Chris Kelly in the corner. Ryder also added an assist on Kelly's critical tying goal with 6:18 left in the third. Ryder hadn't gotten a single point previously in the series and has a well-earned reputation as a trick-or-treat player. Bruins and Canadiens fans know this all too well.

3. Ryane Clowe, Sharks -- One of the league's more underrated performers, the man with the funny spelling of his first name was first-rate for the Sharks, scoring two goals for the second straight game. Clowe is one of those maddening players to defend around the net, always spinning off checks and sweeping pucks at the net with his long reach. Despite probably not being 100 percent health-wise of late (he missed the last few games of the season with an injury), Clowe now has multiple-point efforts in three of the first four games of the series (seven overall).