We are in Round 2 of the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs and the top candidates for the Conn Smythe Trophy — postseason MVP — are starting to emerge.
Here are the top 5 candidates for the award entering Monday night’s games.
1. Corey Perry, Forward, Anaheim Ducks
Perry has been nearly unstoppable this postseason with a league-leading 13 points, nine of which have come at even strength. The Ducks are up 2-0 in their second-round series against the Flames with Perry having six points (two goals, four assists) and 10 shots.
Whether it’s been producing offense, giving opponents problems with his speed and size, or drawing penalties to give Anaheim’s red-hot power play a chance to score, Perry has contributed to the Ducks’ success in every way.
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2. Duncan Keith, Defenseman, Chicago Blackhawks
Keith should have won this award in 2010, but the voters gave it to Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews instead. Last season’s Norris Trophy winner is averaging 30:25 of ice time, ranks T-2nd among all skaters in playoff scoring with 10 points and has played a key role on special teams with more than five minutes of combined power play and penalty kill time per game.
3. Braden Holtby, Goaltender, Washington Capitals
New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist is a good candidate among goaltenders, but the best of the bunch is Holtby.
He’s faced the most second-most shots (239) in the playoffs and ranks T-1st with a .942 save percentage. Holtby also has given up two goals or fewer in six of his eight starts, including five of the six games he played in Washington’s seven-game Round 1 series win over the New York Islanders.
4. Tyler Johnson, Forward, Tampa Bay Lightning
Steven Stamkos has scored just two goals this postseason, but the Lightning are still in good shape up 2-0 on the Montreal Canadiens in large part because of Johnson’s goal scoring. He leads the playoffs with seven goals and ranks T-2nd with 10 points.
Johnson’s two goals in Game 6 of Tampa Bay’s first-round series against the Detroit Red Wings helped the Lightning avoid elimination and force a Game 7.
5. Patrick Kane, Forward, Chicago Blackhawks
Kane won this award in 2013 and could win it again if the Blackhawks claim another Stanley Cup. The veteran winger has 10 points (five goals, five assists) and 27 shots in 20:11 of ice time per game. Kane also has three goals in Chicago’s first two Round 2 games against the Minnesota Wild. His two goals in Sunday night’s Game 2 win gave him 101 points in 101 career playoff games.
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Thumbnail photo via Dennis Wierzbicki/USA TODAY Sports Images
