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Conn Smythe Trophy Favorites

by Chris Kober  |  Hockeytalk.biz

MAY 13, 2011 -- The Stanley Cup Playoffs are down to the final four. This weekend the Conference Finals begin with the Boston Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vancouver Canucks and San Jose Sharks vying for their conference championships and a chance to capture hockey’s ultimate prize. While the team hardware takes prescience at this time of the season, the end of the second round also gives us a good opportunity to appreciate some of the outstanding individual performances that may end up being Conn Smythe worthy.

The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually to the “player judged most valuable to his team during the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup playoffs,” as voted by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association, the salient phrases being “to his team” and “during the ... Playoffs” as opposed to during the Finals. So without further adieu, my top four contenders (one per team) for the 2011 Conn Smythe Trophy through two rounds:

Ryan Kesler, Vancouver Canucks: The leading scorer in the Playoffs so far with five goals and 10 assists for 15 points, Kesler has been so much more than a point producer for Vancouver. During the Canucks’ first round series with their playoff nemesis, the Chicago Blackhawks, Kesler matched up against reigning Conn Smythe winner Jonathan Toews and held him without a goal until the last minute of game seven (note: Kesler wasn’t on the ice when Toews scored his lone playoff goal).

Kesler plays in every situation for the Canucks. He leads all Vancouver forwards in time on ice per game, is tied with the Sedin twins for the team lead in power play time on ice per game, and trails only defenseman Dan Hamhuis in shorthanded ice time per game in the playoffs.

His second round point scoring explosion (5-6-11 in six games) was critical in a series where the team’s top two regular season scorers, Daniel and Henrik Sedin, combined for only seven points and five of the six games were decided by one goal.

All tolled, his point production, defensive acumen, leadership by example and even willingness to play after being struck in the face by a puck, combined with the unexpectedly underwhelming Sedin twins and two epic meltdowns by Roberto Luongo in round one, make Kesler the Canucks’ runaway MVP thus far in the playoffs.

Ryane Clowe, San Jose Sharks: Another player who is putting up big numbers yet means more to his team than just the sum of his stats sheet, Clowe has a slight edge over Joe Thornton as the Sharks’ Playoff MVP through two rounds.

‘Jumbo Joe’ appears to be having one of the best playoff seasons of his career. He has added some physicality to his game. He’s been reliable defensively, going head to head with the opponents’ best line and his 60.7 percent effectiveness in the faceoff circle is out of this world. However, his points per game average of 0.85 is really just on par with his other five post-seasons as a Shark.

Part of the difference is that the Sharks don’t rely on Thornton as much as they have in the past. Last year’s emergence of Joe Pavelski as a playoff performer, Rookie Logan Couture’s added production and Devin Setoguchi’s clutch scoring have taken the burden off of the trio of Thornton, Dany Heatley and Patrick Marleau. This year no one has contributed more to that than Clowe.

Previously thought of as a third line grinder, who brought some size and grit to the lineup, Clowe has been the Sharks’ leading scorer through two rounds with four goals and nine assists (13 points). The stereotype of San Jose being a regular season juggernaut that underperforms in the playoffs simply does not apply to Clowe this season. He’s raised his points per game from a regular season average of 0.83 to a whopping 1.08. Compare that to Thornton’s dip from 0.88 to 0.85 points per game this season and it’s easy to see who has been more valuable.

In addition to the numbers Clowe sets the tone physically for the Sharks, crashing the crease, screening the goaltender and doing all of the dirty jobs that got him into the NHL in the first place. Even when he’s out of the lineup Clowe’s presence is felt. His absence from game six versus Detroit wasn’t the only reason the Sharks were thoroughly outplayed, but one would have to think that having a big body with a newfound nose for the net in the lineup would help cut down a 45-25 shot advantage for the Wings.

Soft play has plagued San Jose in post-seasons past but if this is going to be the year of the Shark Clowe’s greasy point production will be a key to their success.

Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins: The B’s balanced scoring attack and head coach Claude Julien’s defense first philosophy don’t exactly lend themselves to an individual skater being the difference maker in a series and the latter can even take away from the goalie’s allure, but Thomas has been spectacular to this point in the playoffs.

It’s become cliché to compare any goalie that drops his stick to the one and only Dominik Hasek, but not since the Dominator has a goalie been so electrifying to watch in and of himself as Thomas has become over the past three years. While his unique improvisational style, unpredictable to shooters and fans alike – for better or for worse at times – is endearing, his game isn’t without substance.

The Bruins became the first team in NHL history to advance from a seven game series having scored zero (!) power play goals. With a power play struggling so mightily, the goalie at the other end has to be near perfect. Thomas put up three overtime victories in his first round duel with Carey Price including a double overtime thriller and a sudden death game seven.

Thomas wasn’t called upon to be as spectacular in the sweep of the Flyers and their three headed monster of a goaltending situation, however, the only starter with a better Goals Against Average (2.03) or Save Percentage (.937) than Thomas is Dwayne Roloson (GAA 2.01, Sv% .941) who he’ll face in the next round.

The prohibitive favorite to win his second Vezina Trophy as goalie of the year, Thomas may need a bigger mantle to display all of his hardware if the Bruins can break their 38 year Cup drought.

Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning: Between the debate over head coach Guy Boucher’s 1-3-1 system, the praise for Steve Yzerman’s acquisitions as a rookie general manager, the renascence of Vinny Lecavalier, the emergence of the Sean Bergenheim-Dominic Moore-Steve Downie line, superstar Steven Stamkos’ scoring struggles and 41-year-old Roloson’s domination in the crease one can almost forget that St. Louis is still Tampa Bay’s best player.

St. Louis has a one goal advantage on Lecavalier for the Lightning scoring lead in the playoffs with a score line of 6-7-13. While he may not be quite as well rounded as the other two skaters on my Conn Smythe leader board, he is without a doubt, the emotional leader of this team.

More than any other player remaining in the playoffs, St. Louis exudes a feeling of excitement, energy and exuberance that grips his team, the building and even the viewers at home. On the ice it is manifested by his speed and creativity that simultaneously contrast and compliment Boucher’s rigid defensive system, providing a much needed offensive spark.

Hockey is an emotional game and St. Louis personifies that, reminding us of the purity of sport with the passion that seemingly pours out of him with every stride, shot and celebration. His experience and overall intangible leadership qualities, heart, passion, dedication, whatever you want to call it, elevates his value to the team on more than just a physical level.

One of these players will lift the cup within a month’s time and if they continue performing the way they have so far that player may even join the pantheon of Conn Smythe winners such as Patrick Roy, Wayne Gretzky and Bobby Orr.

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