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Conn Smythe Watch: Who’s the playoff MVP as final four are set?

Greg Wyshynski
Conn Smythe Watch: Who’s the playoff MVP as final four are set?

The San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, Tampa Bay Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins are the last four teams standing in the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs. They’ve all received big performances from players en route to the conference finals – but which ones are worthy of being called the most valuable?

Here’s how we see the field through the first round. Please keep in mind that for the Conn Smythe Watch, we weigh candidates more if their teams appear headed to advancement. Also keep in mind that the PHWA's potential favorites were also factored in.

10. Ben Bishop, Tampa Bay Lightning

Bishop has the second highest even-strength save percentage (.943) of any of the goalies remaining in the postseason. Then again, he may have faced the softest offensive competition as well.

9. Joe Pavelski, San Jose Sharks

The Sharks’ captain has 13 points in 12 games, including nine goals to tie for the postseason lead. Three of his goals ended up being game-winners.

8. Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis Blues

The Blues star has 13 points in 14 games, and six of his seven goals came at even strength. A cornerstone of one of the best lines in the postseason.

7. Phil Kessel, Pittsburgh Penguins

Kessel has 12 points in 11 games, including a 3-point night in the elimination game against the Washington Capitals. His line with Nick Bonino and Carl Hagelin is unofficially nicknamed the ‘HBK’ Line, and will seek to break the hearts of the Lightning.

6. Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning

The Lightning man/mountain has nine points in 10 games and is skating 27:30 per game. The rock of the Tampa defense.

5. Logan Couture, San Jose Sharks

The leading scorer in the playoffs with 17 points in 12 games, Couture has scored four of his seven goals on the power play.

TAMPA, FL - MAY 8: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates his goal against the New York Islanders during the third period of Game Five of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on May 8, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - MAY 8: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates his goal against the New York Islanders during the third period of Game Five of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on May 8, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

4. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning

He’s scored nine goals, tied for best in the playoffs, and six of them have come at even strength. Many of those goals have been big ones. He also leads the postseason with three “first goals” to get the Lightning going.

3. Matt Murray, Pittsburgh Penguins

What more can be said about the rookie currently on a road to Ken Dryden and/or Cam Ward status? Murray leads all remaining goalies with a .951 EV save percentage at 5-on-5. And yet there's Marc-Andre Fleury in the bullpen, ready to roll?

2. Brian Elliott, St. Louis Blues

If the Blues go on to win the Cup, it’s hard to imagine this sentimental favorite not taking home MVP honors. The veteran goalie has a very respectable .941 EV save percentage, and has twice bounced back from middling Games 6 to outstanding Games 7.

1. Brent Burns, San Jose Sharks

The most electrifying player left in the postseason, Burns has 15 points in 12 games to lead all defensemen and is second only to Couture for overall points lead. Again, we ask the obvious question: If Burns wins the Conn Smythe, will he keep it safe inside his beard during postgame revelry?

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Greg Wyshynski is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter. His book, TAKE YOUR EYE OFF THE PUCK, is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.

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