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Smythe Contenders by Gaby Martinez Hockeytalk.biz May 24, 2008 -- So far the Stanley Cup Playoffs have been amazing as always. They have been full of action and suspense as anticipated. Certain players excelled throughout the playoffs. These players played with passion and heart, and showed that their team deserved to win. Three players from both Pittsburgh and Detroit have made a huge impact on their team, making them prime candidates for the Conn Smythe Trophy at the end of the finals. Marian Hossa, Evgeni Malkin, and Marc-Andre Fleury have been the most valuable players for this young Penguins team. Surprisingly, Sidney Crosby isn’t included in this list. He has been amazing these playoffs; he’s been an outstanding leader. He’s contributed offensively, but he just didn’t have as many game winners as Hossa and Malkin had. PITTSBURGH
Hart Trophy nominee Evgeni
Malkin is somewhat overshadowed by Sidney Crosby, but he has
shined. He has 9 goals, which includes 3 game winning goals, and 10
assists. Malkin had the game winners in game 1 versus New York and game
1 versus Philadelphia. He also has had at least 1 point in 9 out of 14
games these playoffs. Malkin co Marc-Andre Fleury has been stellar for the Penguins and one of the main reasons they have made it this far. He is 12-2 in the playoffs with 1.70 goals against average and a .938 save percentage. He has great form and the Penguins can always rely on him to be a strong force in the net. DETROIT Detroit has a great team, and a great team has great players. Chris Osgood, Nicklas Lidstrom, and Henrik Zetterberg have been incredible for Detroit.
All of these players have played brilliantly for their teams and one of them will likely be awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP of the playoffs.
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2008 Western Hockey Network
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Marian
Hossa's trade to the Penguins was one of the most underrated moves
at the trade deadline. He has been phenomenal so far in the playoffs
with 9 goals, including 2 game winners, and 10 assists. His most
important game winning goal was the overtime series clincher in game 5
versus the Rangers. Hossa’s other game winning goal was in game 3
against Philadelphia. He is a forward full of speed and finesse who
fits well with linemates Sidney Crosby and Pascal Dupuis.
ntributes
when it’s needed most. He has a ton of skill and talent.
Chris
Osgood has been excellent for the Red Wings. His record is 10-2
with 1.60 goals against average and a .931 save percentage. Osgood just
seems to find where the puck is and doesn’t allow the other team to
score often making him an irreplaceable playoff goaltender. His
relaxing demeanor and strong presence in the net makes him one of the
most valuable players on Detroit.
Nicklas
Lidstrom is a name the hockey world has known for quite some time.
In all 15 of his years, he has been a great defenseman. Lidstrom makes
little defensive plays that may go unnoticed to the casual hockey fan,
but the keen hockey fan knows that those plays can be the difference
between a win and a loss. The elite defenseman and five-time Norris
Trophy winner has 2 goals and 8 assists in the playoffs. 
A
great offensive forward for Detroit is 27 year-old Henrik Zetterberg.
Entering the Final, Zetterberg had 10 goals, including 3 game winners,
and 11 assists. He has been stellar on the top line. He is speedy and
has great stick handling, too. He contributes on special teams which is
always great for a Stanley Cup Final team.
vs
