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NHL Playoffs: 5 Conn Smythe candidates

By Adam Stocker

Apr 5, 2017; Buffalo, NY, USA; Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) makes a save on a shot by the Buffalo Sabres during the second period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2017; Buffalo, NY, USA; Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) makes a save on a shot by the Buffalo Sabres during the second period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Here are five players that could win the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Conn Smythe Trophy was first awarded to Montreal Canadiens legend Jean Beaulieu in 1965. Since the introduction of the award, goalies, and centers have each won the award 16 times, the most of any position. Former Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche goalie Patrick Roy has won the trophy three times, the most of any player.

A player on the losing team in the Stanley Cup Final has won the Conn Smythe on five occasions. Four of the five times, it has been awarded to a goalie. The lone exception is Philadelphia Flyers’ winger Reggie Leach in 1976. The most recent winner for the losing team was Mighty Ducks of Anaheim goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere, who carried the No. 7 seed Ducks to the Stanley Cup Final.

Here are five players who could win the Conn Smythe Trophy this season.

5. Carey Price

The Montreal Canadiens enter the playoffs as Atlantic Division champions. Thanks to the terrible NHL playoff format, they have an easier trip to the Stanley Cup final than the Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Columbus Blue Jackets. Two of the three will be eliminated before a potential meeting with Montreal in the Conference Finals.

If the Canadiens are going to make it to the Stanley Cup Final, it will because of their star goalie Carey Price. In 2015, Price was awarded the Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award as league MVP. The former Vezina Trophy winner is the backbone of the Montreal roster. Price has set the standard so high for himself that the 2016-17 season was considered a down year. However, Price ranked in the top five in the NHL in save percentage among goalies who played at least 50 games.

The Canadiens are one of the lowest-scoring teams in the playoffs. If they are not able to score, they are going to need Price to steal a few games. Montreal is going to win because of their defense, and Price will get the majority of credit if they make it to the Stanley Cup Final.