Every Monday Mike Brophy will check in on the leading candidates for the Stanley Cup playoffs MVP.
Each season the most valuable player in the Stanley Cup playoffs is awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy. Here are sportsnet.ca's leading five candidates for the award:
1. Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks: After winning the Norris Trophy last season, not to mention helping his Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup, expectations were very high for Keith this year. It was not a regular season to remember. However, when teammate Brent Seabrook was injured early in the playoffs, Keith immediately took his game to a higher level and he's a big reason why the Hawks are on the verge of pulling off one of the greatest comebacks in NHL history. Keith has been superb at both ends and has also been a physical force against the Vancouver Canucks.
2. Ryan Clowe, San Jose Sharks: When the Sharks were struggling earlier this season, GM Doug Wilson insisted the leadership needed to come from within the dressing room. Clowe, who had a very slow start to his season, took this to heart and has been the Sharks most impressive skater down the stretch and into the playoffs. He leads San Jose in post-season scoring with four goals and seven points through five games.
3. Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning: After finishing second in scoring to Daniel Sedin this season, St. Louis has continued his fantastic play into the playoffs. Not only does the 35-year-old right winger continue to put up points on his own (four goals and eight points in five games), he also makes others around him better. St. Louis is tied for the playoff scoring lead with Anaheim forward Corey Perry.
4. Mike Fisher, Nashville Predators: Fisher was acquired to give Nashville's offence a boost, but also because he had valuable playoff experience and had been to the Stanley Cup final with the Ottawa Senators. He has come through on both counts as the Predators advanced to the second round for the first time in franchise history.
5. Dave Bolland, Chicago Blackhawks: If the Blackhawks complete the amazing comeback against the Canucks, much of the credit will go to solid two-way centre Dave Bolland. The Hawks were 0-3 when he was out of lineup and have won three straight since he returned. Bolland has two goals and six points in those three games and is an impressive plus-6 in the series.
Last week: Shea Weber, Nashville; Carey Price, Montreal; Alex Ovechkin, Washington; Mike Fisher, Nashville; Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit.
