Conn Smythe Watch: Jon Quick increases MVP lead; Doughty’s goal earns attention

The morning after each Stanley Cup Final game, Puck Daddy will break down the field for the 2012 Conn Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP.

1. Jon Quick, Los Angeles Kings

The Kings have won 10 road games this postseason. Quick has given up one goal or less in five of them. He had 32 saves and a .970 save percentage in defeating the Devils in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final — a game where, again, he didn't need to be spectacular, but was the backbone of the Kings' penalty kill and eventual OT victory. He has a 1.44 GAA and a .947 save percentage in the playoffs. Does he have the Conn Smythe locked up?

2. Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings

Kopitar moves up a place on the Conn Watch by virtue of his team being two wins away from the Cup. He didn't register a point in Game 2, and remains at 16 points for the postseason, two points off the playoff leader Ilya Kovalchuk (18 points). But Kopitar had a strong defensive game in helping to stifle the Devils' cycle.

3. Ilya Kovalchuk, New Jersey Devils

Kovalchuk improved on his Game 1 performance, but still couldn't find the score sheet in Game 2. He attempted seven shots, and had one glance off the crossbar in 27:07 TOI. Will Coach Pete DeBoer put him back with Travis Zajac and Zach Parise for Game 3? Can Kovalchuk continue to fight through his back injury?

4. Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils

Brodeur was valiant again in defeat, keeping the punchless Devils in the game with another solid effort. His GAA for the postseason is 2.00 with a .924 save percentage; can he out-duel Quick back in LA?

5. Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings

His spectacular end-to-end goal in Game 2 brought back memories of Scott Niedermayer's tally against the Detroit Red Wings in Game 2 of the 1995 Final for the Devils. Doughty moves up two spots on the Conn Watch, scoring four points in his last four games and tallying 12 in 16 playoff games. Doughnuts is a plus-12, and isn't allowing the Devils anything in the attacking zone.

6. Dustin Brown, Los Angeles Kings

Brown played 27:03, registered one missed shot and had four hits in Game 2. He's still at 16 points for the playoffs and a plus-14. But he's gone six games without a goal.

7. Jeff Carter, Los Angeles Kings

Carter's OT goal was his fifth goal of the playoffs and second game-winner. He has 10 points in 16 games.

8. Adam Henrique, New Jersey Devils

The Devils rookie didn't register a shot in Game 2 and doesn't have a point in the Cup Final. But those two series-clinching OT goals mean he remains in the Conn-versation (oh, that was terrible) until the Devils are eliminated.

9. Mike Richards, Los Angeles Kings

Richards had six shots on Brodeur in Game 2 and helped the Kings kill off four Devils power plays. He has 11 points in 16 playoff games but only has a single goal in his last five games.

10. Zach Parise, New Jersey Devils

If the Devils are going to find their way out of this 0-2 hole, Parise is going to have to lead them. His 14 points in 20 games is good for sixth in the playoffs, but he's scoreless and a minus-4 in his last three games. His frustration is palpable; are the Devils two losses away from saying goodbye to their captain?