- Commissioner’s statement on Ventura, Marte
- Ronnie O’Sullivan: Masters champion ‘felt so vulnerable’ in final
- Arron Fletcher Wins 2017 WSOP International Circuit Marrakech Main Event ($140,224)
- Smith challenges Warner to go big in India
- Moncada No. 1 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Braves land 2 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Kingery makes MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- New Zealand wrap up 2-0 after Bangladesh implosion
- Mathews, Pradeep, Gunathilaka to return to Sri Lanka
- Elliott hopes for rain for Poli
Sharks’ Pavelski Leads Conn Smythe Race
- Updated: May 29, 2016
The 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs are down to two teams with the San Jose Sharks facing the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Final. Game 1 is at Consol Energy Center on Monday (8 p.m. ET; NBC, CBC, TVA Sports).
Before the Final begins, six NHL.com writers give their picks for the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to the Most Valuable Player of the playoffs.
There are already strong contenders in Joe Pavelski of the Sharks and Phil Kessel of the Penguins. Much will ride on what takes place in Final, but here’s how the NHL.com staffers handicap the Conn Smythe Trophy race after three rounds:
Nick Cotsonika, NHL.com Columnist
1. Joe Pavelski, San Jose Sharks
2. Brent Burns, San Jose Sharks
3. Matt Murray, Pittsburgh Penguins
Pavelski ranks first in goals with 13 and second in points with 22, and he has been the leader of the Sharks, setting the tone, coming through in big moments. Burns has been a catalyst from the back end, ranking third in scoring among all skaters with 20 points (6 goals, 14 assists) and first among defensemen by six points. Murray has gone 11-4 with a .924 save percentage. When Penguins coach Mike Sullivan started Marc-Andre Fleury in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Fleury allowed four goals on 25 shots in a 4-3 overtime loss. Sullivan went back to Murray for Games 6 and 7, and Murray made 44 of 47 saves in back-to-back wins.
Tom Gulitti, NHL.com Staff Writer
1. Joe Pavelski, San Jose Sharks
2. Phil Kessel, Pittsburgh Penguins
3. Logan Couture, San Jose Sharks
No one scored more goals than Pavelski’s 13 through the first three rounds of the playoffs. He leads the League with four game-winning goals to help the Sharks reach the Final for the first time in their history. One of the reasons the Penguins have gotten this far is their scoring depth, but Kessel’s consistency in leading them with 18 playoff points (nine goals, nine assists) has stood out. He had six points (three goals, three assists) in five games in the first round against the New York Rangers, six points …
continue reading in source sharks.nhl.com
