Three games into the Stanley Cup final, our Conn Smythe watch is becoming a one-horse race. If the Boston Bruins hold on to claim the Cup, it will be difficult to imagine anyone but their goaltender being named MVP of the postseason.
1. Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins
It is obvious Tuukka Rask has been good of late – just how good, you ask? In his last nine games he’s put together the following stat line: 8-1, 0.83 goals-against average, .972 save percentage. Don’t forget his three shutouts, either. Rask hasn’t been as tested in the Cup final as he was against Pittsburgh, but right now he’s simply a brick wall between the pipes. Tim Thomas wasn’t even this good during his dominant 2011 postseason. Rask’s stunning conference finals effort put his name in the Conn Smythe discussion, but a stellar series against Chicago has made him the runaway favourite with Boston leading 2-1.
2. Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks
If the Western Conference champs find a way to win this series, Crawford may be the only Blackhawks player deserving of the Conn Smythe. He has been very good all postseason long and is in no way responsible for the Blackhawks’ current predicament. In fact, Crawford has played well enough for them to win either of the last two games, stopping many high-quality Bruins chances in the process. His postseason GAA of 1.74 is second only to Rask’s and has been outstanding ever since the Blackhawks went down 3-1 to Detroit in the second round. But with the way Rask is playing, Crawford may have to elevate his game even further.
3. David Krejci, Boston Bruins
Since trailing Toronto 4-1 in the third period of Game 7, the Bruins have only lost twice – both in overtime. While they have been overly dominant in the last three series, they wouldn’t be here without postseason points leader David Krejci. This spring he has established himself as a playoff performer and top-notch two-way centre. Boston’s top line, anchored by the underappreciated Czech, has been so good all spring long, and Krejci is the biggest reason for that.
4. Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins
In Boston’s last seven games, Chara has seen a heavy dose of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. Those four star forwards have combined for just one point in those games against Chara and the Bruins. Chara has played a vital role on Boston’s stifling penalty kill, which is a perfect 10-for-10 in the Cup final. The giant blue-liner also leads all remaining defencemen in average ice time (30:04) and plus/minus (+13). D-men often get overlooked for the Conn Smythe – a defenceman has only won it nine times – but the Bruins’ captain should absolutely be in the conversation.
5. Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins
A player of Bergeron’s ilk probably shouldn’t be considered an unsung hero, but that is exactly what he has been this postseason for Boston. Bergeron’s production has been spotty as Krejci, Nathan Horton and Milan Lucic have put up big numbers, but he has most certainly been clutch. Bergeron scored the dramatic overtime winner in Game 7 against Toronto as well as the sudden-death dagger in Game 3 against Pittsburgh. He also leads all players in faceoff winning percentage (62.7%) after an impressive 24-for-28 showing in Monday’s win against Chicago.
