Conn Smythe Watch: MacKinnon closes MVP gap

By popular demand, Puck Daddy takes its Conn Smythe Watch from the evening Three Stars to every morning of the postseason. Keep in mind that we factor in the probability of a long playoff run into these choices. Who are the current favorites for playoff MVP? Glad you asked.

1. Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins

Rask and the Bruins advanced to Round 2 with a 5-game win over the Red Wings. He finished with a .961 save percentage and a 1.16 GAA.

2. Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche

He’s back! After a pair of quiet games, MacKinnon scored arguably the biggest goal of the series in OT of Game 5. He leads the NHL with 10 points in five playoff games after his 3-point game in Game 5.

3. Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks

His three-point effort in Game 5 was the stuff of MVPs. He has three goals and four assists in four games.

4. Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks

Two game-winning goals and six points overall for the Blackhawks captain, including the winner in OT in Game 5.

5. Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars

Benn has four goals, including his shorty in Game 5, for five points in the playoffs.

6. Semyon Varlamov, Colorado Avalanche

Not the best game for Varly in Game 5, but his .931 save percentage and 2.33 GAA are solid numbers moving forward.

7. Patrick Marleau, San Jose Sharks

Shut out in Game 5, but has three goals and four assists, including an OT game-winner.

8. Marty St. Louis, New York Rangers

Two goals, three assists and rounding into the Rangers’ best postseason forward thus far.

9. Ryan Johansen, Columbus Blue Jackets

Johansen had an assist on the Jackets’ lone goal of Game 5 and has moved to the front of their MVP watch.

10. Brendan Gallagher, Montreal Canadiens

Gallagher remains primed for a big second round if it’s a rough and tumble series against the Bruins. He has 3 goals and 2 assists in four games.