Conn Smythe Watch: Malkin makes his move, but Kopitar is still King
By popular demand, Puck Daddy takes its Conn Smythe Watch from the evening Three Stars to every morning of the postseason. Keep in mind that we factor in the probability of a long playoff run into these choices. Who are the current favorites for playoff MVP? Glad you asked.
1. Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings
He leads all playoff scorers with 14 points and is winning over 50 percent of his faceoffs.
2. P.K. Subban, Montreal Canadiens
Subban has 11 points in seven games and is skating 27:34 per game. The heart and soul of a Habs team that’s up 2-1 on the Bruins.
3. Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks
Toews has four goals and five assists in nine playoff games, but didn’t tally a point in Game 3.
4. Evgeni Malkin Pittsburgh Penguins
With a goal and an assist in Game 4, Malkin now has 12 points in 10 games, skating to a plus-6. The big question: Can he hold off teammate Jussi Jokinen (6 goals, 3 of them game-winners) as the Penguins’ MVP forward?
5. Marian Gaborik, Los Angeles Kings
Six goals for Gaborik in the playoffs, including the game-tying and game-winning goals in the Kings’ Game 1 win. He’s tied with Jussi Jokinen for the playoff lead.
6. Zach Parise, Minnesota Wild
Parise had a goal and an assist in Game 3, and now has 13 points in the postseason in 10 games, second only to Kopitar.
7. Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks
Getzlaf has 10 points in seven games, including four power-play points. He has three points in two games vs. the Kings.
8. Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins
Rask still has a .933 save percentage for the postseason, but has given up 10 goals in three games to Montreal.
9. Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings
After a rough start to the postseason, Quick has dominated with a .924 save percentage in leading the Kings to six straight wins.
10. Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers
Lundqvist sports a .929 even strength save percentage. He’s also the Rangers’ MVP candidate by default at this point.
