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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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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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