Connor McDavid had already set a playoff record with 34 assists this postseason, and his 42 points rank fourth best, trailing only two playoff runs by Wayne Gretzky (47 points in 1986 and 43 in 1988) and one by Mario Lemieux (44 in 1991). He became the first player ever to post back-to-back games of
Conn Smythe Trophy
Equal parts exhilarating and devastating, sports are quite simply unpredictable. Ask the city of Pittsburgh. This week 25 years ago, Penguins fans experienced both emotions at the same time. Riding back-to-back Stanley Cup championships and looking like a team destined to three-peat, Mario Lemieux stepped to the podium at a sudden press conference to announce
With the NHL down to its final four playoff teams, there are a handful of players who have emerged as front-runners for the Conn Smythe Trophy as postseason MVP. After having scored 25 points in 15 games, Nathan MacKinnon looked like he was going to run away with the award until his Colorado Avalanche lost
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby joined Mario Lemieux and Bernie Parent as the only other players in NHL history to win the Conn Smythe Trophy in back-to-back years. Crosby deserved it, posting eight goals and 27 points in 24 playoff games. But he wasn’t the only member of the Penguins who played at an MVP level.