Conn Smythe Watch: The King has fallen off the throne
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
Kopitar leads the playoffs with 22 points in 18 games after getting two assists in Game 4. He’s winning 55.4 percent of his faceoffs. He moves up one spot after the previous leader had a rough night ...
2. Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers
The leader in GAA and save percentage in the playoffs? Tuukka Rask, after Lundqvist was pulled from Game 5. But he’s still the only reason the Rangers win or lose in these playoffs.
3. Jeff Carter, Los Angeles Kings
Carter has to 20 points in 18 games, and is right there with Kopitar as the Kings’ best offensive weapon.
4. Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings
Doughty now has 14 points in 18 games, and in talking with some of the potential voters, his stock is rising.
5. Martin St. Louis, New York Rangers
St. Louis has 13 points in 19 games but was shut out in Game 5.
6. Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings
Quick has just a .911 save percentage and a 2.68 GAA, but he’s been the backbone of the Kings’ defense.
7. Marian Gaborik, Los Angeles Kings
Gaborik’s Game 4 goal gave him 10 goals in 18 games, to lead the postseason.
8. Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks
Toews had an assist in Game 4 to give him 14 points in 16 games. Can he pull out some magic in Game 5?
9. P.K. Subban, Montreal Canadiens
Subban has 14 points in 16 games, and his blast from the point led to the Canadiens’ first goal in Game 5. He’s single-handedly making their power play dangerous again.
10. Rene Bourque, Montreal Canadiens
How about that Game 5 hat trick, huh? He now has eight goals in the postseason.
