Throughout the playoffs, we weigh in weekly on the race for the Conn Smythe Trophy. With Round 1 nearing its conclusion, here are the top five players who have made their mark on the post-season.
1. David Krejci, Boston Bruins
The Bruins have shaken off any late-season struggles they had by jumping out to a 3-1 series lead over Toronto. One big reason why Boston has been able to put Toronto on the brink is the play of its top line. Milan Lucic and Nathan Horton have six points each, but David Krejci has racked up 10 points in four games.
Krejci was clutch in Game 4, netting a hat trick and scoring the game-winner in overtime. He has tallied three points in each of the Bruins’ victories this series, as he’s looking like the David Krejci of the 2011 playoffs.
2. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
Since returning for Game 2 in Pittsburgh’s first-round series against the New York Islanders, Crosby doesn’t appear to have missed a beat after missing 13 games.
In Pittsburgh’s Game 3 victory on Long Island, Crosby tallied three key assists. Then in Thursday’s statement win in Game 5, Crosby scored a highlight-reel goal to stick a dagger in the upset-minded Islanders. In total, Crosby has eight points in four games — and one could argue he isn’t yet on top of his game.
3. Logan Couture, San Jose Sharks
San Jose had many key contributors step up in their shocking series sweep of Vancouver. The one who has made the biggest impact all over the ice is Couture. He had three multi-point games in the four games against the Canucks, highlighted by a four-point effort in a decisive Game 3 win.
Joe Pavelski and Patrick Marleau have been clutch for the Sharks, but Couture, who has eight points thus far, puts the team over the top with his two-way game.
4. Craig Anderson, Ottawa Senators
Although the Senators’ five-game series win was as dominant as it sounds, it wouldn’t have come as easy without the solid goaltending of Anderson. The veteran netminder set the tone for the series in Game 1, making 48 saves on 50 shots against in a 4-2 Senators win.
Before the Senators pulled away in their pair of 6-1 victories in Games 3 and 5, Anderson proved tough to beat. In the five games, Anderson recorded a 1.80 GAA and .950 save percentage, as he picked up where he left off in the regular season.
5. Patrick Sharp, Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are the unanimous favourite to represent the Western Conference next month in the Stanley Cup final. They took care of the eighth-seeded Minnesota Wild in five games with solid efforts across the board, but Sharp scored some big goals throughout the series.
Sharp ended the series with five goals, two of the game-winning variety, after having an inconsistent regular season. Corey Crawford and Marian Hossa, among others, should also be considered in this conversation.