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Conn Smythe Watcher

CONN SMYTHE WATCH
Image result for sergei bobrovsky vs bruins
Sergei Bobrovsky is on the Conn Smythe watch.
The Conn Smythe trophy is awarded every year to the NHL's playoff MVP. Just eight teams remain, and there are many worthy candidates who could win the Conn Smythe when all is said and done. Let's look at the top five Conn Smythe candidates this playoffs.

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5. BEN BISHOP
The Stars are a wild-card team that eliminated the Nashville Predators in the first round, and they're currently tied 2-2 in their second-round series with the Blues. They wouldn't be here without Bishop, who's backstopped the team with a 2.24 GAA to pair with his .931 save percentage. His unreal saves have stolen games from the Stars. If they end up winning a Cup, all the thanks will be to him.

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4. BRAD MARCHAND
Let's start with the positive side of Marchand's case for the Conn Smythe. He and Tuukka Rask have been the two best players on the Bruins this playoffs. He's got ten points in a tie for seventh in the playoffs. He also has a game-winning goal and six assists. 
But Marchand has also cost his team.
From the start of the Columbus series, you could tell he was going to be out of control. Breaking Cam Atkinson's stick was a dirty thing to do and later in the series, he risked a suspension because he came in for no reason and punched Scott Harrington in the head, later saying "it's playoff hockey." You never want to see headlines like "Bruins try to rein Marchand in" about your best player come playoff time. When he's playing a skilled game, Marchand is one of the best. When he plays dirty, he could cost his team a series. 


3. SERGEI BOBROVSKY
Sergei Bobrovsky has silenced the talk about his reputation for being a playoff choker. He has a 2.13 GAA to go with a .933 save percentage, both third best in the league. By comparison, his career GAA is 3.11. This playoffs, Bobrovsky has turned it all around and become the goalie Columbus needed. Anyone who can best Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos four games in a row is a special guy, and if Columbus makes it out of round 2, it'll be because of him.

Image result for logan couture vs avalanche
2. LOGAN COUTURE
Couture has been one of the most clutch players this playoffs. He helped spark the Sharks' epic comeback against Vegas in Game 7 of their first-round series, and currently leads the playoffs in goals with 9 to go with his 12 points, third in the playoffs. He has a game-winning goal and has become a leader on a Sharks team that looks like it has one of the best chances at winning a Cup. 



1. NATHAN MACKINNON
Is there anything Nathan MacKinnon can't do? Whenever the Avalanche are trailing or locked in a close game he always seems to come through with yet another highlight-reel goal, the most recent example against the Sharks when he cut through the defense and quickly fired a shot that went off the post and in past Martin Jones. He and teammate Mikko Rantanen are tied for the playoff lead with 13 points each, and he is second in goals with 6 behind Couture. He's also got seven assists, but his most impressive stat is his three game winning goals. He got the Avalanche into the series Game 2 against the Flames where it looked like they would take a stranglehold in the series before Mack scored in overtime with a perfect shot. If the Avalanche win the Cup or even go to the Final, MacKinnon should receive the strongest consideration for the Conn Smythe. 

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