As the Stanley Cup playoffs dive into Round 2, 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) David Krejci, Boston Bruins
Boston’s top offensive line was a question mark heading into the post-season. Now it’s a clear strength. The Bruins wouldn’t be in the second round if it weren’t for Nathan Horton, David Krejci and Milan Lucic. They carried the B’s to a 3-1 series lead against Toronto, and then engineered the comeback (before Patrice Bergeron’s heroics) in their memorable Game 7 victory. Krejci had two assists in that game, adding to his playoff-best total of 14 points. He netted a hat trick, including the overtime winner, in Game 4 against Toronto and is looking like the Krejci from the Bruins’ 2011 Stanley Cup run.
2) Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings
The Kings, most notably last spring’s Conn Smythe winner, have responded to a rough start to the first round by winning six in a row and taking a 2-0 series lead over San Jose in the second round. Jonathan Quick is a big reason why the Kings appear to be on track for a clash with Chicago in the Western Conference final. Quick has two shutouts since allowing two ugly goals in losses against St. Louis. He currently sports a .947 save percentage, second-best among goalies that have started every game this post-season. The lone worry may be that San Jose figured him out in Game 2, despite the Kings winning 4-3.
3) Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
Who has had a bigger impact on the Penguins thus far this postseason: Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin? 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. Malkin’s play has been inconsistent through seven games, but he’s come through when the team has needed him the most. He ranks second in the playoffs with 13 points.
4) Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago’s impressive 5-1 record this post-season has been a byproduct of great all-around team play. It’s hard to say one player has been more valuable than the other, but Crawford has further silenced his critics with a strong start to the ‘second season’. His 1.27 goals-against average leads all playoff goaltenders, as he has made the big save when called upon. In the last three games, where the Blackhawks have started to impose their will, Crawford has surrendered just two goals combined. He’s in a zone right now.
5) Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers
Where would the New York Rangers be without King Henrik? With his team’s backs against the wall in their first-round series against Washington, Lundqvist morphed into a brick wall and collected back-to-back shutouts (on 62 shots against) to close out the series. And although he gave up three goals in Game 1 against Boston, Lundqvist faced 48 shots and gave his team a chance to win. His sheer presence will give the Rangers a chance to win this series against the Bruins.
