Who are the greatest playoff performers of the post-lockout era?
With the postseason looming, talk of the Conn Smythe — a trophy awarded to the MVP of the Stanley Cup playoffs — will soon be set in motion. As hockey fans prepare for the inevitable debates that shall envelop the months to come, let’s look back at the NHL’s best playoff performers of the post-lockout era.
Sidney Crosby
Love him or hate him, it’s hard to argue against the idea that Sidney Crosby is cementing his place as one of the greatest players of all time. Central to No. 87’s remarkable story is his success in the postseason.
Having previously won it all with the 2009 Pittsburgh Penguins, Crosby’s performances in the 2016 and 2017 Stanley Cup finals were some of the most memorable of any player in recent memory. Although his career statistics paint a picture of one of the NHL’s finest scorers, what differentiates Crosby from others is his ability to consistently play a responsible two-way game.
While it’s unlikely he’ll receive a Selke Trophy, Crosby’s pervasive hockey sense has afforded defenders of the past and present ample opportunity to join the Pens’ devastating rush — a factor that has allowed the team to dominate both ends of the ice on a recurring basis. As such, Crosby has won two straight Conn Smythe trophies and will be looking to add a third as the Pens head into the postseason.
Whether Crosby is the best player in the world is a subject of debate — one that will likely continue to engulf hockey circles until his eventual retirement. For now, it’s difficult to find another player that has managed to marry success in the regular season with postseason glory as smoothly as Sid the Kid.