Conference Finals MVPs: Fleury continued to shine, Eller filled the void

The conference finals of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs yielded the championship series that no one saw coming: the history-rich Vegas Golden Knights versus the always-clutch Washington Capitals.

All kidding aside, this is an extremely unusual Stanley Cup Final. The Capitals provided ample opportunities to demonstrate this postseason that they are the same old Capitals, but did not revert to their old ways. The Golden Knights on the other hand, well, you probably know their story by now.

Let’s pinpoint a player from each team that performed beyond expectation level.

Washington Capitals: Lars Eller

Up until Game 4, Washington was without trusted centre Nicklas Backstrom. Having to fill the void was Lars Eller, who did a phenomenal job rising to the occasion. The former Montreal Canadien registered two goals and five points in the first three games, playing a key role in Washington thieving the first two games in Tampa Bay.

The eight-year veteran was a plus-seven in the series and had a 57.8 faceoff percentage. He also finished the series with six points, which was the fourth-highest mark for the Capitals. There were lots of key players who stepped up versus the Bolts — including Braden Holtby, who recorded shutouts in both elimination games — but if Eller does not play the way he does in Games 1-3, Washington probably does not make it that far.

Vegas Golden Knights: Marc-Andre Fleury

I feel like I should just copy my write-up for the conference semifinals and paste it right here —because Fleury wrote the exact same story.

If you want to beat the Vegas Golden Knights, you are going to have to play a near-perfect game defensively. Because gaudy goal totals aren’t happening with Fleury in goal.

The Winnipeg Jets, who currently still sit second in playoff goals, were only able to muster six on 135 shots in Games 2-5. Further, the Jets did not get outshot in a single game during the series, but were unable to score twice in succession following their Game 1 win.

A near-impossible mission awaits the Capitals: make life difficult for the Flower.

If there was a favourite for the Conn Smythe Trophy at this point in time, it is this guy.

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