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Martin Jones is building a case for the Conn Smythe

By Brad Berreman

SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 30: Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks makes a save against the Vegas Golden Knights during Game Three of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 30, 2018 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 30: Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks makes a save against the Vegas Golden Knights during Game Three of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 30, 2018 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Highlighted by his shutout of the Vegas Golden Knights Wednesday night, San Jose Sharks goaltender Martin Jones is building his case for the Conn Smythe.

In what looked to be a pivotal Game 4 against the Vegas Golden Knights Wednesday night, San Jose Sharks goaltender Martin Jones came up big with a 34-save shutout in his team’s 4-0 win to even the series 2-2. It was his second shutout of these playoffs, and the sixth playoff shutout of his career.

Jones has been a fairly average regular season goaltender, with a career save percentage of .916 and a career goals-against average of 2.34. Over the last three seasons with San Jose, when he became a No. 1 goalie (190 starts over that span), he has a .915 save percentage and a goals-against average of 2.40.

But Jones turns into a different goaltender during the playoffs. Including his very good run so far this year (6-2 record, .934 save percentage, 2.01 goals-against average), he has a 22-16 record, a .927 save percentage and a 2.01 goals-against average along with the aforementioned six shutouts in his playoff career.

With that sixth career postseason shutout, Jones has put himself in some rare air, in recent league history and the history of the Sharks’ franchise.

Evgeni Nabokov posted his seven playoff shutouts for the Sharks over 80 games, while Jones sits one shy of the franchise record in less than half as many playoff games (38).

The Sharks will have to advance past Vegas for sure, and probably at least beat Winnipeg or Nashville in the Western Conference Final, for Jones to get serious consideration for the Conn Smythe Trophy as Stanley Cup playoff MVP. But he is building a sneaky case for the award already, and if he keeps up this high level of play the Sharks could reach the Stanley Cup Final for the second time in three years.

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Stars are made during the regular season, but legends are made in the playoffs. Jones is turning it up again when it matters most, and right on cue based on his track record.

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