Alright, so we’ve got four teams left in the battle for the Stanley Cup, but the real question on everyone’s mind is who’s going to snag that shiny title of NHL postseason MVP, aka the Conn Smythe Award. It’s kind of a big deal, folks. We reached out to a bunch of hockey writers to get the lowdown on their top three MVP picks after two rounds of intense playoff action. The voting went down before Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, just so you know.
Top Dog:
Mikko Rantanen, the right winger for the Dallas Stars, is currently leading the pack in the Conn Smythe race. This guy has been killing it with 19 points in 13 postseason games, including nine goals. Talk about a scoring machine. He’s been making his former team, the Colorado Avalanche, regret trading him with his stellar performance on the ice. Rantanen has been setting records left and right, like being the first player in NHL history to have five three-point games in a single postseason. Impressive stuff.
The Contenders:
Frederik Andersen of the Carolina Hurricanes and Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers are not far behind in the MVP race. Andersen was standing strong with an impressive .937 save percentage until he hit a bump in the road in Game 1 against the Florida Panthers. McDavid, on the other hand, is on a mission to win back-to-back Conn Smythe trophies, which is no easy feat. The guy is a scoring machine with 17 points in 11 games. Watch out for these two, they’re coming for that MVP title.
Making Their Case:
Jake Oettinger of the Dallas Stars and Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers are also in the mix for the Conn Smythe. Oettinger has been a brick wall in goal for the Stars, making some game-changing saves when it counts. Draisaitl has been lighting it up with five goals and 11 assists, proving he’s a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the ice. These guys are definitely not to be underestimated in the MVP race.
On the Cusp:
Jaccob Slavin and Andrei Svechnikov of the Carolina Hurricanes, Sergei Bobrovsky and Brad Marchand of the Florida Panthers are all knocking on the door of the Conn Smythe conversation. These guys have been putting up solid numbers and making big plays when it matters most. Keep an eye on them as the playoffs heat up.
Honorable Mentions:
Seth Jones and Eetu Luostarinen of the Florida Panthers have also been making waves in the postseason. Jones has been a standout performer for the Panthers, especially in their Game 7 win against Toronto. Luostarinen, on the other hand, has been a consistent point producer for the Panthers, leading the team in scoring with 13 points. These guys might not be front-runners for the MVP, but they’re definitely making an impact on their teams’ playoff runs.
So, there you have it, folks. The race for the Conn Smythe is heating up, with some big names vying for that prestigious MVP title. Who will come out on top? Only time will tell. But one thing’s for sure, the competition is fierce, and these players are leaving it all on the ice. Stay tuned for more playoff action and MVP drama.
