{"id":12404,"date":"2021-12-10T04:07:52","date_gmt":"2021-12-10T04:07:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onhee.com\/?p=12404"},"modified":"2021-12-10T04:07:52","modified_gmt":"2021-12-10T04:07:52","slug":"a-stanley-cup-could-be-a-conn-job-for-predators-pekka-rinne","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/onhee.com\/?p=12404","title":{"rendered":"A Stanley Cup could be a Conn job for Predators\u2019 Pekka Rinne"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Nashville goalie is the favorite to be playoff MVP as Stanley Cup final begins.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne leads every major statistical category for goalies in the 2017 NHL playoffs.\u00a0\u00a0(Mark Humphrey \/ <\/span>The Associated Press<\/span>)\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

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By <\/span>Mark Zwolinski<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Sports reporter<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Sat., May 27, 2017<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The Conn Smythe Trophy field gets smaller with each day.<\/p>\n

Pittsburgh goalie Marc-Andre Fleury was a leading candidate until Game 3 of the Eastern Conference final, when he allowed four goals in a little more than 12 minutes. He hasn\u2019t played since.<\/p>\n

Ottawa defenceman Erik Karlsson, reportedly playing with a pair of hairline fractures in his left heel, might have been the favourite had the Senators defeated Pittsburgh in Game 7. The Senators lost in double overtime, despite a pair of assists from their captain.<\/p>\n

Senators goalie Craig Anderson was in the mix after getting the Senators to a Game 7. Aneheim centre Ryan Getzlaf had 15 points in his first nine playoff games. But, like Karlsson, their seasons are done. You have to make the final to have a chance at the playoff MVP award.<\/p>\n

So who are the favourites as Pittsburgh and Nashville prepare for Game 1 of the Cup final Monday night? Here are our top five:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Pekka Rinne, Predators<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Nashville probably wouldn\u2019t be in its first final if not for Rinne, who leads all goalies in every major statistic this post-season. He was spectacular the first round against Chicago, posting a .976 save percentage, and still has a .941 mark after three rounds, .952 during five-on-five play. Anaheim outshot Nashville 41-18 in Game 6 of the West final, including 30 shots from quality scoring areas, but the Predators advanced, thanks largely to Rinne. Goalies have won the Conn Smythe 16 times, more than any other position. Rinne might be the 17th, regardless of who wins the Cup.<\/p>\n

Evgeni Malkin, Penguins<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Malkin, now 30, continues to prove why he\u2019s one of the most deadly playoff scorers of his generation. He leads all players this post-season with 24 points \u2014 four more than teammate Sidney Crosby \u2014 in 19 games, and has been difficult to handle with the man advantage, with a league-leading 10 power-play assists. Malkin has already won the Conn Smythe once, in 2009, when he notched 14 goals and 22 assists in 24 games. Only five players have won the award at least twice: Patrick Roy (three), Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Bobby Orr and Bernie Parent.<\/p>\n

P.K. Subban, Predators<\/strong><\/p>\n

Subban has been something of a quiet contender in the Conn Smythe race, assigned to cover the top opposition forwards. That\u2019s meant a steady diet of Chicago\u2019s Jonathan Toews, St. Louis\u2019s Vladimir Tarasenko, and Anaheim\u2019s Getzlaf. The results? Three goals combined in 16 games for those forwards. Subban and defensive partner Mattias Ekholm have been on the ice for just six goals against in 5-on-5 situations. Subban has reportedly been playing with a herniated disc in his back \u2014 and some observers have noted a slight drop in his puck-moving, skating, and normally terrific slap shot \u2014 but he is still tied for third among defencemen in playoff scoring with 10 points.<\/p>\n

Phil Kessel, Penguins<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s only natural to look at Kessel\u2019s run in Pittsburgh \u2014 he won a Cup last year and is a Smythe contender for a second straight spring \u2014 and contrast it to his mercurial time with the Leafs. Kessel is currently fourth in playoff scoring with seven goals and 12 assists. He is second with 56 shots, and has five goals and 11 points on the power play. There\u2019s no arguing he\u2019s a tough competitor: his open tirade in the Ottawa series, and his subsequent game-winning goal, underlined how badly he wants to succeed.<\/p>\n

Sidney Crosby, Penguins<\/strong><\/p>\n

There wasn\u2019t a lot of Conn Smythe talk about the game\u2019s best player during the first two rounds. But Crosby\u2019s star has risen dramatically after a stellar performance in the conference final against Ottawa. He\u2019s now second in playoff scoring, behind Malkin. Crosby is looking to become the first player to captain consecutive Cup winners since Detroit\u2019s Steve Yzerman and Pittsburgh\u2019s Lemieux did it in the 1990s. He\u2019s also hoping to be join Lemieux and Parent as the only back-to-back playoff MVPs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Nashville goalie is the favorite to be playoff MVP as Stanley Cup final begins. Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne leads every major statistical category for goalies in the 2017 NHL playoffs.\u00a0\u00a0(Mark Humphrey \/ The Associated Press)\u00a0\u00a0 By Mark ZwolinskiSports reporter Sat., May 27, 2017 The Conn Smythe Trophy field gets smaller with each day. Pittsburgh … <\/p>\n

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