Five under-the-radar Stanley Cup playoffs MVP candidates

Defenseman  Josh Morrissey, Winnipeg Jets | First round vs. St. Louis

The simple case for Morrissey is that he's a minutes-munching defenseman (first on Winnipeg in time-on-ice) who plays more than any other skater, will face the toughest matchups and also can put up points.

Historically, Morrissey is not a big playoff scorer. But he is coming off his third consecutive 60-point regular season and scored four points in five playoff games last season. If there ever was a time for Morrissey to put it all together, it's now. 

Center Quinton Byfield, Los Angeles Kings | First round vs. Edmonton

He's been a highlight machine for months now following a terribly slow start to the season. At 6-foot-5, 225 pounds and with the type of speed, agility and hand-eye coordination that can change a game, it's possible we are seeing Byfield turn into the next Rick Nash, whose playoff success was hit-or-miss. But in the modern era, Byfield fits the exact mold of a player who could excel in the tight-checking playoffs. He has 34 points in 39 games (14 goals, 20 assists) during the back half of the season.

Center Roope Hintz, Dallas Stars | First round vs. Colorado

For the Stars to come out of a crowded Western Conference, someone must be a matchup problem for opponents. Hintz, a three-time 30-goal scorer, has a killer instinct and could be that guy. He torched opponents in the 2022-23 playoffs with 24 points in 19 games in the first of his two consecutive trips to the Western Conference Final. 

Goaltender Jordan Binnington, St. Louis Blues | First round vs. Winnipeg

Binnington flirted with earning a Conn Smyth during St. Louis' 2019 championship run — the games that launched his career. Mix in his gold-medal performance at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February and the Blues being the hottest team in hockey with wins in 20 of 29 games, and it's easy to see Binnington's case despite a middling statistical season. But his numbers for his past 10 games are impressive (8-1-1 record, .917 save percentage and only 21 goals allowed).

The Stanley Cup playoffs will begin Saturday (April 19).