Could a hypothetically returning Steven Stamkos or Ben Bishop win the Conn Smythe?

Could a hypothetically returning Steven Stamkos or Ben Bishop win the Conn Smythe? *READ OP*


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bobholly39

Registered User
Mar 10, 2013
22,076
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Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals is in the bag - Dallas is up 1-0. Both teams have been impacted by injuries this playoff season:

Steven Stamkos. He's been the main franchise player in Tampa for a decade now - still a superstar forward, their captain and among their best player, even though there are other greats on this team too.

Ben Bishop. He's been #1 goalie in Dallas for a few years, and has been among the best in league/vezina candidates for that stretch.

Is there a way either player could return in game 2 (or later, if you want to improve the narrative) of the Stanley Cup Finals - and play such an amazing series that they'd be awarded the Conn Smythe despite the obviously low games played count?

Feel free to think of the craziest of scenarios to improve the narrative - just avoid sci-fi/fantasy numbers that are completely unrealistic, try to keep it grounded. For Stamkos, it could mean:

Lightning down 0-3 - Offense isn't clicking at all - Stamkos returns in game 4, helps Tampa win 4 straight games, scored 12 points total and 6 goals while no one else in the whole finals tops 6 points. (no sci-fi scenarios, don't have him score 10 points a game or anything stupid...)

For Bishop, it could be:

Tampa wins next 3 games while destroying Dallas's goalie/defense. Bishop returns in game 5 - faces a barrage of 50+ shots but Dallas wins 1-0. Goes on to post 2 more shutouts (or maybe 1 goal game) maintaining a .960% + sv% in the finals while facing a crazy amount of shots.

What do you think - would the narrative of such a strong final where either player is clearly the main reason their team wins the cup, be enough to win the conn smythe? Or is the games played count too low?

To clarify - i'm not asking if it's likely Stamkos/Bishop return and perform that way - I'm just asking *if* they did - do you think they would win the conn smythe despite low games played?
 

JoVel

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Jan 23, 2017
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It'd probably take like 4 or 5 hat tricks in a row for Stamkos to win it, you can't just ignore the fact that he didn't play in the first three rounds.

As for Bishop, even if he sets three record breaking shutouts, not a chance.
 

Oddbob

Registered User
Jan 21, 2016
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Yeah no way. Even 4 hat-tricks in the next 4 games wouldn't be enough for Stamkos. Bishop was horrible in his already played 3 games which has him behind the 8 ball, and even if he pitched 3 50 save shutouts it wouldn't be enough, not to mention at this point, no way Dallas switches from hot hand Khudobin with the run he is on.
 

illpucks

Registered User
May 26, 2011
20,525
4,971
It's possible for Stamkos but the scenario would be so ridiculous and illogical. 3-0 lead for Dallas

Game 4 - Dallas puts up 4 goals and has a 4-0 lead after period 1. Stamkos puts up 5 goals in a 5-4 victory.
Game 5- Dallas has a 5-0 lead at the end of the 2nd period. Stamkos puts up 4 in the 3rd, assists on a Point goal, and scores the OT winner
Game 6 - 1-0 lead for Dallas, Stamkos ties the game with 5 seconds left in the 3rd period, gets OT winner
Game 7 - Stamkos scores gets 3 goals and 4 assists in a 7-1 rout.
 

Regal

Registered User
Mar 12, 2010
24,539
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Vancouver
While the writers love a good narrative and tend to have short memories, I just can't see it. Too many strong performances from these teams already for a couple games to change things. Maybe if a team really slugged their way through to the finals with some lucky performances with no one else on the team playing at a normal Conn Smythe level (say they already split goalies earlier in the playoffs and both have their share of bad games, and the team is otherwised pretty balanced in ice time and scoring with no one having very good totals)
 

Voight

#winning
Feb 8, 2012
40,347
16,638
Mulberry Street
Not possible, since the Smythe is based on the entire playoffs (or is supposed to be).

I actually like that they base it on the entirety of the playoffs vs just the finals. Cause you could have a killer first 3 rounds but lose the chance to win it if you don't perform well in the finals.
 
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