Well into Round 2 of the Stanley Cup playoffs, we take stock of the individual players who have the best shot at claiming the Conn Smythe Trophy as the tournament’s most valuable player.
1. Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings
The defending champs have been more vulnerable this spring than they were a year ago, but Jonathan Quick’s performance has been nearly as dominant. His 1.50 goals-against average and .948 save percentage are tops among all goaltenders in these playoffs; those numbers mirror his peripherals from last postseason (1.41, .944) when he won the Conn Smythe.
Quick also collected his playoff-best third shutout Thursday night, as he put forth a stellar 24-save effort. All of this has come after he was responsible for two tough goals against in the first two games of the playoffs. Now Quick has the Kings one win from their first-ever trip to back-to-back conference finals.
2. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
Every time Sidney Crosby gets injured, he seems to come back a better player. These playoffs have been no exception. After missing 13 games due to a broken jaw, Crosby has been awfully impressive in his nine playoff games. He has 14 points, which is tied for second with teammate Evgeni Malkin, and he co-leads the playoffs in goals with linemate Pascal Dupuis.
Crosby’s highlight-reel goal in Game 5 against the Islanders was a defining moment for Pittsburgh, and his hat trick in Game 2 against Ottawa was yet another reminder he is the NHL’s best. The scary part is that he might have another gear in him.
3. David Krejci, Boston Bruins
Claude Julien’s bunch has had multiple players step up at key moments this postseason, but none bigger than their top line as a whole. Boston wouldn’t be where they are today if it weren’t for Nathan Horton, David Krejci and Milan Lucic, who carried the Bruins to a 3-1 series lead against Toronto and engineered the comeback (before Patrice Bergeron’s heroics) in a memorable Game 7 victory.
With four points in the second round, Krejci has been good, not great, but his 17 points still leads all playoff performers. His big moment thus far came in Game 4 against Toronto when his overtime winner capped off a hat trick.
4. Jimmy Howard, Detroit Red Wings
Presidents’ Trophy winners have had a history of crossing paths with the “hot goaltender” in recent postseasons. It happened to Vancouver in 2012 and 2011, Washington in 2010, San Jose in 2009 – you get the picture. Top-seeded Chicago is down 3-1 in their second-round series against Detroit due in large part to the play of Jimmy Howard.
The Red Wings’ netminder has been sensational this round, stopping 86 of the 88 shots he has faced in the last three games. Howard’s impressive 28-save shutout in Game 4 was the first time all season Chicago has been blanked. Not only has Howard been good against Chicago, but he was clutch when he needed to be in the first round.
5. Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh’s dynamic one-two punch has picked different nights to emerge as the game-changer. Malkin found the score sheet in the first eight games of the playoffs, but has cooled off a bit this round against Ottawa. However, he has risen to the occasion when called upon. In the series-clinching game against the Islanders, Malkin created Brooks Orpik’s winning goal in overtime.
In Game 1 against Ottawa, the 2009 Conn Smythe winner was all over the ice, tallying a goal and an assist in the Penguins’ 4-1 win. Pittsburgh’s Kris Letang, with 13 points in 10 games, should also be under consideration for the Conn Smythe thus far.
