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Pittsburgh Penguins Candidates for the Conn Smythe

By Shane Lunnen |
Jun 12, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) skates with the Conn Smythe Trophy after defeating the San Jose Sharks in game six of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 12, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) skates with the Conn Smythe Trophy after defeating the San Jose Sharks in game six of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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Some really good Pittsburgh Penguins are deserving of the Conn Smythe trophy

Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins /

Pittsburgh Penguins

With the Pittsburgh Penguins up 2-0 in the Stanley Cup finals, it’s time to look at some Conn Smythe candidates.  Some may think this might be jinxing the team.  In a league full of superstitions, this isn’t one of them and it’s definitely time to start thinking about who could win the trophy for playoff MVP.

Halfway through the playoffs, Marc-Andre Fleury was looking like a favorite to win his first Conn Smythe.  However after being replaced in the conference finals in favor of Matt Murray, Fleury probably cannot win.  Most likely Murray won’t win either as the award goes to the player who was most valuable throughout the entire playoffs, not just one series.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at three candidates most likely to claim the Conn Smythe.

May 31, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71) skates with the puck and scores a goal against the Nashville Predators during the third period in game two of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final at PPG PAINTS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
May 31, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71) skates with the puck and scores a goal against the Nashville Predators during the third period in game two of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final at PPG PAINTS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Evgeni Malkin

Evgeni Malkin leads the league in playoff points at 26, with 9 goals and 17 assists.  He is a +10 and doesn’t seem like he is slowing down anytime soon.  He also leads the league in points per game at 1.24 and is tied with Phil Kessel with a league leading 11 powerplay points.

There is no doubt that Geno is leading the pack right now for the Conn Smythe.  He is a little off of his 2009 Conn Smythe playoffs where he racked up 36 points in 24 games, with 14 goals and 22 assists.  He also shot the puck a ton more in those playoffs.

Regardless, Malkin is a big reason why the Penguins are two wins away from their fifth Stanley Cup.  As long as he keeps up his points and the Pens win the series, he probably will be adding another piece of hardware to his collection.

May 31, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) carries the puck past Nashville Predators center Filip Forsberg (9) during the first period in game two of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final at PPG PAINTS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
May 31, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) carries the puck past Nashville Predators center Filip Forsberg (9) during the first period in game two of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final at PPG PAINTS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Sidney Crosby

In 2016, captain Sidney Crosby earned his first Conn Smythe.  Could he do it again? If Crosby or Malkin earn it, they would join elite company.  Only five players have earned two playoff MVPs since the league started awarding the Conn Smythe in 1965.  Crosby would also join Mario Lemieux as a back to back winner.

Crosby is second in points behind Malkin with 22.  He has 7 goals and 15 points, averaging 1.10 points per game.  He has done this while missing one game for a concussion and on most nights, he has been smothered by opposing team defenses.

We’ll see what happens the rest of the series, but if Crosby equals or surpasses Malkin in points it will definitely be a tough choice between the two outstanding centermen.

May 29, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Jake Guentzel (59) with the puck against Nashville Predators defenseman Yannick Weber (7) during the third period in game one of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final at PPG PAINTS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
May 29, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Jake Guentzel (59) with the puck against Nashville Predators defenseman Yannick Weber (7) during the third period in game one of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final at PPG PAINTS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Jake Guentzel

A darkhorse candidate but one that should definitely be considered, Jake Guentzel has had himself a great rookie playoff run.

Sitting at fourth in the league in points overall, Guentzel leads all scorers in goals with 12.  He also has tallied 7 assists.  Mostly playing on Sidney Crosby’s line has helped and has made the top line a lethal one for the Penguins.  To think his name was tossed around by some as a potential healthy scratch when Patric Hornqvist returned for the Stanley Cup final.

Guentzel has racked up all kinds of stats along with media attention during these playoffs.  He now ranks second in goals by a rookie in post-season, behind Dino Ciccarelli who had 14 goals with the Minnesota North Stars in 1981.  He has set a record for most points in a postseason by an American born rookie and has the rookie postseason record with five game winning goals.

Guentzel has been instrumental in the Penguins success thus far and could be a surprise pick should they win the Stanley Cup.

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