Early Conn Smythe company

[Ainec]

Kessel was scoring at will and the HBK line was the best line on the Pens. Kessel as a 3rd line winger had more points than Crosby as the 1C.

Kuznetsov is benefitting from playing with Ovi. The additional points come from the Center of the line almost always tallying more than the winger.

you could argue Ovi is benefiting from Kuzy because the latter has been on the ice for more goals and less goal against

 

[Kcoyote3]

Kuz is four points ahead now:

Kuznetsov, 23 games played, 12 goals, 18 assists, 30 points
Ovechkin, 23 games played, 14 goals, 12 assists, 26 points

Counting tonight obviously in points and games played.


But speaking purely on precedence:

2017 Crosby, 24 games played, 8 goals, 19 assists, 27 points
2017 Malkin, 25 games played, 10 goals, 18 assists, 28 points

2016 Crosby, 24 games played, 6 goals, 13 assists, 19 points
2016 Kessel, 24 games played, 10 goals, 12 assists, 22 points
2016 Couture, 24 games played, 10 goals, 20 assists, 30 points

So, the scoring leader doesn't always win, especially when the captain is close.

 

[illpucks]

you could argue Ovi is benefiting from Kuzy because the latter has been on the ice for more goals and less goal against

He'd be just as good or better with Backstrom. Kuzy wouldn't put up same points on 2nd line.

 

[Paxton Fettel]

He'd be just as good or better with Backstrom. Kuzy wouldn't put up same points on 2nd line.

Whaaat? The #1 reason the Caps are where they are is because Kuznetsov took matters in his own hands. Backstrom never reached the super elite level that Kuzy is playing at now!

 

[illpucks]

Whaaat? The #1 reason the Caps are where they are is because Kuznetsov took matters in his own hands. Backstrom never reached the super elite level that Kuzy is playing at now!

Backstrom is leading team in assists per game.
Backstrom reached 100pts. Kuznetsov never has

 

[Paxton Fettel]

Backstrom is leading team in assists per game.
Backstrom reached 100pts. Kuznetsov never has

If those stats make you feel better, it's okay.

 

[illpucks]

If those stats make you feel better, it's okay.

The thing that Kuznetsov is good for is taking the pressure of Backstrom and Ovi. Lars Eller too.

 

[george14]

Kuz is three points ahead now:

Kuznetsov, 23 games played, 12 goals, 18 assists, 30 points
Ovechkin, 23 games played, 14 goals, 12 assists, 26 points

Counting tonight obviously in points and games played.


But speaking purely on precedence:

2017 Crosby, 24 games played, 8 goals, 19 assists, 27 points
2017 Malkin, 25 games played, 10 goals, 18 assists, 28 points

2016 Crosby, 24 games played, 6 goals, 13 assists, 19 points
2016 Kessel, 24 games played, 10 goals, 12 assists, 22 points
2016 Couture, 24 games played, 10 goals, 20 assists, 30 points

So, the scoring leader doesn't always win, especially when the captain is close.

In 2017 Crosby had 7 points in the finals and Malkin had 4. The finals are weighed heavily. Kuz is outproducing Ovi in both.

 

[jbobell98]

Kuz is three points ahead now:

Kuznetsov, 23 games played, 12 goals, 18 assists, 30 points
Ovechkin, 23 games played, 14 goals, 12 assists, 26 points

Counting tonight obviously in points and games played.


But speaking purely on precedence:

2017 Crosby, 24 games played, 8 goals, 19 assists, 27 points
2017 Malkin, 25 games played, 10 goals, 18 assists, 28 points

2016 Crosby, 24 games played, 6 goals, 13 assists, 19 points
2016 Kessel, 24 games played, 10 goals, 12 assists, 22 points
2016 Couture, 24 games played, 10 goals, 20 assists, 30 points

So, the scoring leader doesn't always win, especially when the captain is close.

Except ovechkin does not have a point tonight, making his total stay at 25. While Kuzy now has 3 tonight leaving him currently at 30. If the gap gets any bigger I have a hard time seeing Ovi win with a teammate who has over a 5 point spread on you.

 

[Kcoyote3]

Except ovechkin does not have a point tonight, making his total stay at 25. While Kuzy now has 3 tonight leaving him currently at 30. If the gap gets any bigger I have a hard time seeing Ovi win with a teammate who has over a 5 point spread on you.

Ovechkin has a point tonight. Point totals are current.

 

[CokenoPepsi]

Except ovechkin does not have a point tonight, making his total stay at 25. While Kuzy now has 3 tonight leaving him currently at 30. If the gap gets any bigger I have a hard time seeing Ovi win with a teammate who has over a 5 point spread on you.

Ovechkin has an assist on the 3rd goal

 

[Khomutov]

Except ovechkin does not have a point tonight, making his total stay at 25. While Kuzy now has 3 tonight leaving him currently at 30. If the gap gets any bigger I have a hard time seeing Ovi win with a teammate who has over a 5 point spread on you.

He had an assist on the Smith-Pelly goal.

 

[jbobell98]

Ovechkin has a point tonight. Point totals are current.

My bad missed it

 

[illpucks]

Ovechkin has an assist on the 3rd goal

And one on the 2nd goal that was removed.

Ovie should be at 27.

Kuznetsov is running the pp. he can easily choose not to pass to Ovi to increase the gap between them.

As the C he is always touching the puck. Ovi performed when he was injured.

Honestly would have been better if he was out for the season with that hand injury.

Because now that he is not the Pens Ovi haters are circling and waiting to say "Ovi had never won a Smythe"

 

[jbobell98]

Ovechkin has an assist on the 3rd goal

Missed it my bad

 

[CokenoPepsi]

In 2017 Crosby had 7 points in the finals and Malkin had 4. The finals are weighed heavily. Kuz is outproducing Ovi in both.

Sometimes it does and sometimes it does not.

In 2010 Patrick Kane doubled the production of Jonathan Toews and even scored the cup winning goal...yet Toews still won the CS.

Most of the time the media decides who will win by the 3rd round.

 

[Kcoyote3]

And one on the 2nd goal that was removed.

Ovie should be at 27.

Kuznetsov is running the pp. he can easily choose not to pass to Ovi to increase the gap between them.

Ovie didn't touch the puck on that goal. He was close but it didn't touch him. He created the goal by causing the turnover though.

 

[Khomutov]

And one on the 2nd goal that was removed.

Ovie should be at 27.

Kuznetsov is running the pp. he can easily choose not to pass to Ovi to increase the gap between them.

What?

 

[Beau Knows]

Kuz looking like the favorite right now.

 

[Trap Jesus]

No chance Ovechkin doesn't get it, even if Kuz deserves it more.

 

[Khomutov]

I'm the biggest Ovechkin homer, but yes Kuzya is the favourite right now.

 

[illpucks]

Kuz looking like the favorite right now.

Not if Holtby gets another shutout.

 

[LarKing]

Unless Kuz increases his point lead by 5+ more than he already has, I think Ovi gets it. Too much of a storyline.

 

[Elganja]

look at how many spot lights OV is getting on NBC, it’s almost a forgone conclusion for them

kuzy, holtby and ov are all deserving and i would be happy with any of them winning it

 

[Kcoyote3]

This has been Ovechkin's team for 13 years. He's one of the NHL's most celebrated players over the past decade. He's the second half of the Crosby-Ovechkin era of dominance. And oh yeah, he's >PPG and has the most goals in the playoffs. The dude deserves this. He's the heart and soul of this Capitals team. Moreso than any other player, without him they don't win the Stanley Cup, there's no doubt in my mind at least. Give him the damn Smythe.