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Conn Smythe Watch: Who are the leaders for playoff MVP?

Conn Smythe

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 has an 0.67 GAA and a .976 save percentage through three games, which is pretty good if you like dominant goaltenders, we guess. He’s yet to surrender a power-play goal.

2. Patrick Marleau, San Jose Sharks

Marleau has three goals and two assists thus far in the postseason, including the overtime game winner in Game 3. You know, folks, he might actually not be gutless. Just a hunch.

3. Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis Blues

The Blues have 11 goals in the postseason and Tarasenko has four of them, to lead all playoff scorers. That includes the game-tying goal with seven seconds left in Game 2.

4. Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche

While teammate Paul Stastny has the goals (3), MacKinnon has the notoriety with his speed and playmaking ability, amassing seven points (1 goal, 6 assists). His line drove the Avalanche to two wins on home ice; his line’s absence from the score sheet was the reason they lost Game 3.

5. Jack Johnson, Columbus Blue Jackets

The Olympic snub has five points in the Jackets’ series against Pittsburgh, including goals in the first three games. More importantly, he’s helpingt to shut down his good friend Sidney Crosby. He’s averaging 29:36 per night.

6. Marty St. Louis, New York Rangers

This is why the Rangers made that blockbuster deal: He’s tallied a point in each of the three games in the series vs. Philly, including two points in each of their victories. Two goals, three assists and looking like he’s finally figuring things out.

7. Brendan Gallagher, Montreal Canadiens

The Habs have a lot of heroes after the first round, but we’ll give this wrecking ball of a player his due for three goals and two assists in limited ice time. He’s a pace setter.

8. Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks

The reigning Conn Smythe winner has three goals and an assist, including the OT game winner in Game 4, to help the Blackhawks even their series with the Blues.

9. Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars

The heart and soul of the Stars, he has three goals and an assist in the series, including goals in their two wins in Dallas.

10. Paul Martin, Pittsburgh Penguins

Martin actually leads the postseason with eight points, all of them assists, and a plus-5 (tied with MacKinnon).