Past 29 Conn Smythe Winners

For the seventh time in his career, Alex Ovechkin led the NHL in goals, notching 49 in 2017-18. He also won the Calder Cup as Rookie of the Year in 2005-06, led the league in points once and was already a three-time Hart Trophy winner as league MVP. What he didn't have was a Stanley Cup. Now he not only gets his name engraved on the most prestigious trophy in the sport, but he has a Conn Smythe Award to add to his mantle after scoring a postseason-leading 15 goals to help the Capitals win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.

Crosby made it back-to-back Conn Smythe campaigns in leading the Pens to their second straight title. He was named playoff MVP after scoring 27 points in 24 games, including a postseason-leading 19 assists.

Heading into the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Sidney Crosby had won just about all there is to win in hockey except one thing: the Conn Smythe. That changed after he led the Penguins to their second Stanley Cup in his career. Despite finishing the postseason as a minus-2, Crosby had 19 points overall and claimed his first playoff MVP trophy.

The last of Chicago's three Stanley Cup victories since 2010 was propelled by the outstanding play of defenseman Duncah Keith. After watching captain Jonathan Toews win the Conn Smythe in 2010 and sniper Patrick take the honor in 2013, it was the All-Star blue liner's turn. Keith led all postseason performers with 18 assists and a plus-16 rating, averaging over 31 minutes of ice time during the playoffs.

For whatever reason, whenever the Los Angeles Kings needed a goal in the 2014 playoffs, forward Justin Williams got it for them. Williams scored nine goals, had a plus/minus of plus-13 and was the Kings' emotional leader as they won their second Stanley Cup Final in three years. For this, Williams was named playoff MVP.

In 2010 it was Jonathan Toews; in 2013, it was Patrick Kane. Kane won the Conn Smythe Trophy as he led his Chicago Blackhawks to their second Stanley Cup Final victory in four years. He led the Blackhawks with nine even-strength goals scored.

The 2012 postseason was a second consecutive legendary goaltending performance after Tim Thomas was a stone wall the year before. After sneaking into the playoffs as a No. 8 seed, the upstart Los Angeles Kings, led by goalie Jonathan Quick, rolled through the playoffs en route to the franchise's first Stanley Cup Final victory. Quick saved 94.6 percent of the shots he faced and was without question the year's Conn Smythe Trophy winner.

The 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs saw a goaltending performance for the ages. A largely journeyman goaltender at 36 years old, Boston Bruins netminder Tim Thomas was touched by the hockey gods. Thomas dominated the ice, saving an incredible 94 percent of the shots he faced. The Bruins won the Cup in seven games over the Vancouver Canucks, and Thomas was named playoff MVP.

Having not won the Stanley Cup Final since 1971, Chicago was yearning for Lord Stanley’s Cup, and Conn Smythe Trophy winner Jonathan Toews brought it to the franchise. Establishing himself as one of the game's premier centermen in the NHL in the process, the 22-year-old Toews scored 29 playoff points and helped the Blackhawks defeat the Philadelphia Flyers in six games en route to the Cup.

In a rematch of the Final from the previous year, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings needed seven games to find out who would hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup. When the dust settled, the Penguins won the decisive Game 7 by a score of 2-1 in Detroit. Russian Evgeni Malkin was named playoff MVP with 36 postseason points.

It was supposed to be Sidney Crosby’s coming-out party. Instead, it was the experienced, veteran-savvy Detroit Red Wings who won the 2008 Stanley Cup Final. With 27 playoff points, forward Henrik Zetterberg was named as Conn Smythe Trophy winner.

Playing alongside his brother Rob, defenseman Scott Niedermayer led the Anaheim Ducks to their first Stanley Cup Final victory. Partnered with Chris Pronger on defense, goals were near impossible to come by when Niedermayer was on the ice. After defeating the Ottawa Senators in five games, Niedermayer was named the Conn Smythe winner.

After the cancellation of the 2005 NHL season, the hockey world saw an unlikely name rise to the top upon its return the following year. Little-known goalie Cam Ward led the Carolina Hurricanes to their first-ever Stanley Cup Final victory over the Edmonton Oilers in seven games, saving 92 percent of the shots he faced.

In another intense, emotional seven-game Stanley Cup Final series, the hockey world saw a team from Florida win the Stanley Cup for the first time. Led by 26 points from Conn Smythe Trophy winner Brad Richards, the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Calgary Flames in seven games.

The 2003 Stanley Cup Final featured the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim up against the New Jersey Devils in an unforgettable seven-game series. Despite the fact it was the Devils who took the decisive Game 7, it was Ducks goaltender Jean-Sebastian Giguere who was named Conn Smythe Trophy winner. It was only the fifth time in NHL history a player for the losing Stanley Cup Final team was named as playoff MVP.

One of the greatest defensemen in NHL history, Swede Nicklas Lidstrom’s calm, composed and brilliant play at the blue line brought Detroit another chance to hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup. After playing an average of over 31 minutes per game, Lidstrom was named playoff MVP after the Red Wings defeated the Carolina Hurricanes in five games.

Nearing the end of his Hall of Fame career, Colorado Avalanche goaltender Patrick Roy proved once again in the 2001 playoffs why he’s considered one of the greatest netminders in NHL history. Roy victoriously led the Avalanche through an emotional seven-game series with the New Jersey Devils. He was named Conn Smythe Trophy winner for a record third time for his efforts.

One of most intimidating and hard-hitting defensemen in NHL history, New Jersey Devils star Scott Stevens was a dominant force in the 2000 NHL playoffs. Playing an average of over 25 minutes per game, Stevens propelled the Devils to a Final victory, defeating the defending champion Dallas Stars in six games.

Although it was Brett Hull who broke Buffalo Sabres fans' hearts in triple overtime of Game 6, it was Dallas Stars center Joe Nieuwendyk who was crowned as that year's Conn Smythe Trophy winner. Nieuwendyk scored 21 points, including an incredible six game-winning goals, over the course of the playoffs to earn himself the award.

Back to defend their Cup win from the previous year, the 1998 Detroit Red Wings had a new playoff leader: forward Steve Yzerman. “Stevie Y” led the all players in assists that playoffs with 18 and finished with a total of 24 points. After the Red Wings swept the Washington Capitals in the Final, Yzerman was named playoff MVP.

The Detroit Red Wings were simply destined to win the Stanley Cup in 1997. Their Cup-winning effort was spearheaded by veteran goaltender Mike Vernon. Vernon saved 92.7 percent of the shots he faced that playoffs, won the Conn Smythe Trophy and helped bring Lord Stanley’s Cup back to Detroit after 42 years of waiting.

One of the best centermen in NHL history, Colorado Avalanche star Joe Sakic led his team to its first Stanley Cup since moving to Colorado in 1996. Sakic scored 32 points along the way, earning him the playoff's top honors.

Overshadowed for much of his career by his cousin Mario, New Jersey Devils forward Claude Lemieux would make his mark in NHL history for his performance in the 1995 playoffs. Lemieux led the New Jersey Devils to their first Stanley Cup Final victory, and after scoring 13 playoff goals, he was named Conn Smythe Trophy winner for his effort.

Prior to 1994, the last time the New York Rangers had won a Stanley Cup was all the way back in 1940. Led by eventual Conn Smythe Trophy winner Brian Leetch, and a living legend in Mark Messier, the Rangers brought the Cup back to the Big Apple, defeating the Vancouver Canucks in an emotional seven-game series.

Gretzky vs. Roy. In the 1993 Stanley Cup Final, the upstart Los Angeles Kings, led by Wayne Gretzky, took on the Montreal Canadiens, led by goaltender Patrick Roy. The best skater in the NHL faced off with its best goaltender. Although Gretzky and the Kings won Game 1, Roy and the Canadiens rattled off four straight wins to win the Cup, with Roy named MVP.

With Jaromir Jagr by his side, Lemiuex scored 34 points, including eight power-play goals, as the Penguins won back-to-back Stanley Cups. Lemieux won his second straight Conn Smythe Trophy in the process.

By 1991, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Mario Lemieux had cemented himself as one of the greatest players in NHL history. However, until defeating the Minnesota North Stars in the 1991 Final, he had yet to lift Lord Stanley’s Cup. Lemieux was named playoff MVP with 44 points scored.

Young and largely untested headed into the 1990 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Edmonton Oilers goaltender Bill Ranford dominated his opponents on the ice. With Mark Messier scoring the goals, Ranford was a fortress in front of the Edmonton net. With a save percentage of 91.2, the Oilers defeated the Boston Bruins in five games, and Ranford was named as Conn Smythe winner.

Scoring 31 points over the course of the playoffs, defenseman Al MacInnis lead the Calgary Flames to their first Stanley Cup Final victory in 1989. Defeating the Montreal Canadiens in six games, MacInnis became the first defenseman in NHL history to lead the playoffs in points scored and was rightfully crowned as that year's Conn Smythe Trophy winner.