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Six candidates for Conn Smythe

NHL.com: Kovalchuk, Parise, Brodeur in the mix

Tuesday, 05.29.2012 / 5:15 PM / News
NHL.com
Ilya Kovalchuk at Media Day.

The 2012 Stanley Cup Final has been determined. After a thrilling overtime victory against the New York Rangers on Friday night, the New Jersey Devils will have home-ice advantage for the first time this postseason as they host the Los Angeles Kings for Game 1 on Wednesday at the Prudential Center.

With three rounds of playoff hockey in the books, NHL.com takes a closer look at six potential candidates for the Conn Smythe Trophy, which is awarded to the Most Valuable Player of the Stanley Cup Playoffs:

1. Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles -- Already a finalist for the Vezina Trophy as the League's top goaltender, Quick's spectacular play from the regular season has carried over into the playoffs. The 26-year-old leads the NHL with a 1.54 goals-against average and .946 save percentage to go along with his 12-2 record. If Quick plays well in the final and the Kings win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history, he's all but a lock to take home the Conn Smythe.

2. Ilya Kovalchuk, New Jersey -- The Russian sniper has been solid in what is easily the longest postseason of his career. In 17 playoff games this year, Kovalchuk has seven goals (five via the power play) and 11 assists. Devils coach Peter DeBoer has put a lot of trust into Kovalchuk, as the latter is averaging 23:16 of ice time per game. Only New York captain Ryan Callahan was averaging more (23:32). His 18 points are tops in the League.

3. Dustin Brown, Los Angeles -- After dealing with trade rumors just a few months ago, the Kings' captain is enjoying a fantastic postseason. Brown, who has appeared in every regular-season game for three consecutive seasons and went 22-32-54 in 2011-12, has seven goals, nine assists and a plus-13 rating in 14 playoff contests. The Ithaca, N.Y. native has been clutch, too -- he's tied for the League lead with New Jersey forward David Clarkson with three game-winning goals.

4. Zach Parise, New Jersey -- It's no surprise the Devils' captain has played a huge role in his club's success this postseason. Only Kovalchuk has tallied more points for New Jersey in these playoffs, as Parise is 7-7-14 in 18 games. Set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, a Conn Smythe Trophy would probably make Parise a couple of extra bucks this summer.

5. Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles -- Everyone's contributing in L.A., which is why it's been able to steamroll its way to the Stanley Cup Final. Kopitar, though, has stood out. The solid two-way center ranks second behind only Brown with 15 points (six goals, nine assists) and is tied with his captain with a plus-13 rating. And, just like Brown, two of his six tallies have been scored while shorthanded. The 24-year-old is also averaging more than 22 minutes of ice time per game.

6. Martin Brodeur, New Jersey -- If this is the 40-year-old's last hurrah, what a way to go out. The three-time Stanley Cup winner is 12-6 with a 2.04 GAA, .923 save percentage and one shutout. Fresh off a playoff series victory against Vezina finalist Henrik Lundqvist, Brodeur will have to outplay another one in the Stanley Cup Final. Should he do so, it may be enough for Brodeur to win his first Conn Smythe Trophy.

Follow Brian Compton on Twitter: @BComptonNHL

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EASTERN CONFERENCE
  TEAM GP W L OT GF GA PTS
1 z - PIT 48 36 12 0 165 119 72
2 y - MTL 48 29 14 5 149 126 63
3 y - WSH 48 27 18 3 149 130 57
4 x - BOS 48 28 14 6 131 109 62
5 x - TOR 48 26 17 5 145 133 57
6 x - NYR 48 26 18 4 130 112 56
7 x - OTT 48 25 17 6 116 104 56
8 x - NYI 48 24 17 7 139 139 55
9 WPG 48 24 21 3 128 144 51
10 PHI 48 23 22 3 133 141 49
11 NJD 48 19 19 10 112 129 48
12 BUF 48 21 21 6 125 143 48
13 CAR 48 19 25 4 128 160 42
14 TBL 48 18 26 4 148 150 40
15 FLA 48 15 27 6 112 171 36

STATS

2012-2013 REGULAR SEASON
SKATERS: GP G A +/- Pts
P. Elias 48 14 22 5 36
I. Kovalchuk 37 11 20 -6 31
D. Clarkson 48 15 9 -6 24
T. Zajac 48 7 13 -5 20
M. Zidlicky 48 4 15 -12 19
S. Sullivan 42 7 10 -12 17
A. Henrique 42 11 5 -3 16
A. Greene 48 4 12 12 16
S. Bernier 47 8 7 -7 15
R. Carter 44 6 9 -2 15
 
GOALIES: W L OT Sv% GAA
M. Brodeur 13 9 7 .901 2.22
J. Hedberg 6 10 3 .883 2.76
 
          
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