1. Tuukka Rask - Boston Bruins
How could this list be topped by anyone but Rask? The Bruin's netminder has been simply phenomenal this post-season. When Tim Thomas led Boston to the Cup in 2011, many said his goaltending performance was one for the ages. With a 1.64 goals against average, and a .946 save percentage, both tops in the NHL this post-season, Rask has been even better. He also leads the league in wins (14) and shutouts (3). This may even be one of the rare situations where even if the Bruins lose the final, Rask could still take the trophy (he would be the sixth player and fifth goaltender in history to do so). He's just that good right now.
2. Patrice Bergeron - Boston Bruins
The Bruin's center may not be leading the NHL in scoring (in fact he's tied for 10th), but there is no doubt he's the major driving force up front that has led the Bruins to within two wins of his second Cup. He's scored 7 goals (tied for 3rd in the NHL), most of which have been of the important variety, including 3 on the power play and 2 game winners. What's more relevant though is Bergeron's outstanding defensive play. Chicago captain Jonathan Toews may have won the Selke, but Bergeron has been outstanding shutting him and the rest of the Blackhawks down, just as he did against the mighty offense of the Penguins. Also, his 62.7% faceoff percentage is just brilliant. Rarely does the two-way forward win the Smythe, but I feel for Bergeron this year it's warranted.
3. David Krejci - Boston Bruins
Far too many people tend to dismiss Krejci's star status in this league. The 27 year old only has one season with more than 62 points, and has hit the 20 goal plateau only twice. But when the playoffs roll around and other top stars are getting shut down, Krejci becomes a beast. When the Bruins won the Cup in 2011, Krecji led the league in post-season scoring with 23 points in 25 games. This year, Krecji has already equaled that total, in only 19 games, and sits first in goals, assists, and points. He also boasts an impressive +15 total. Overall he has an excellent 70 points in 78 career playoff games. While other guys like Toews, and Patrick Kane have struggled, Krecji continues to thrive.
4. Corey Crawford - Chicago Blackhawks
It's clear that with many of Chicago's top players getting shut down in this year's final, the saving grace and top Smythe candidate for the Hawks has been goaltender Crawford. If Rask is currently the best goaltender on the planet, Crawford has been nearly his equal. He's tied with Rask in goals against average (1.74) and just behind him in save percentage (.936). He hasn't had to stop as many shots as Rask has, but on a team as (supposedly) high flying as the Blackhawks, he's needed to be solid when Chicago gives up too many chances against. In short: if they win the Cup, Crawford will be the main reason why.
5. Nathan Horton - Boston Bruins
The main factor working in Horton's favour for the Smythe is his comeback from such adversity. Horton was knocked out of the Finals in 2011 with a serious concussion sustained on a hit from Vancouver's Aaron Rome. Since then, Horton has struggled to regain his form, missing 43 games over the last two years, and not being able to play at all in last year's post-season. However, this year Horton has returned with a vengeance. In his first playoff action since the Rome hit, Horton has been great on offense, with 18 points (2nd in the NHL), 3 game winning goals and an incredible, league-leading +22. If the Smythe voters use offense as the main criteria, the award likely goes to Krejci, but if they consider Horton's story, he's going to get his share of votes as well.
6. Zdeno Chara - Boston Bruins
Six spots into the countdown, and we have yet another Bruin. Only nine times since the Smythe was first awarded back in 1965 has the award gone to a defenseman, and Chara is the one with the best chance to add his name to that list this year. Chara leads all active defenseman in points with 12, despite not getting a single goal on the power play with his massive slapshot. He also leads all defenseman (active or not) in the post-season with a plus 13 rating. Impressive considering Chara is the main shutdown d-man on the Bruins, and has been matched up against top offensive players like Phil Kessel, Rick Nash, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Toews and Kane. In case you were wondering, those six guys scored only 5 goals combined so far against Boston this post-season. With Chara playing a monsterous 30:04 per night, there's little doubt he's been the key ingredient on the back end for the Bruins.
7. Patrick Sharp - Chicago Blackhawks
Finally, another Blackhawk! Going into this series, there likely would have been more in the upper part of the top ten, but many Chicago players have struggled while the Bruins have thrived. However one player on the Hawks who has continued his solid play is Sharp. The 31 year old winger had a big goal in game two and has looked dangerous against Boston with 17 shots through three games. It's something he's been doing all post-season, as he's second in shots on goal (73) and leads the league in goals scored (9). He also has two game winning goals. On a Chicago team that needs it's offense if they want to win, Sharp has been the brightest star up front.
8. Bryan Bickell - Chicago Blackhawks
With stars Kane (8% shooting percentage) and Toews (only 1 goal) struggling, Bickell has emerged as a legitimate offensive threat for the Blackhawks. Described by some as "Dustin Byfuglien lite", Bickell uses his good size and hard nosed-attitude to create opportunities in the offensive zone. So far it's worked well, as the 27 year old winger is second in goals (8) and fifth in game winners (2). He may not get any real Conn Smythe consideration, but he's clearly been one of the best Chicago forwards thus far. So good, in fact, that his expiring contract may see the Blackhawks unable to keep him this summer.
9. Milan Lucic - Boston Bruins
It was a tough season for the big power winger, as the 25 year old only managed 7 goals in 46 regular season games and found himself as a healthy scratch. However, he's turned things around in the playoffs with 16 points in 19 games, good for third in scoring on the Bruins. Lucic's calling card has always been his huge hits, and he leads the NHL this post-season with 85. When you combine quality scoring with toughness, that's the perfect combination for playoff success. Lucic has also been responsible on the other side of the puck, as his +14 rating is third in the NHL.
10. Duncan Keith - Chicago Blackhawks
Keith is not traditionally known as a big scorer in the playoffs (he has only 8 goals in 71 career post-season games), but he's performed well so far this year. His 11 points is second behind Chara among active defenseman in the NHL playoffs, though it's far below the total he racked up when the Hawks won the Cup in 2010. What Keith lacks on offense, he more than makes up on defense. He's been a rock, with a plus 7 rating, facing the opposition's best players on a regular basis while playing more than 27 minutes a night. It's unlikely that Keith will take home the Smythe, however there is no debate he's been Chicago's best defenseman.
Honorable Mention:
Marian Hossa - Chicago (7 goals, 15 points)
Patrick Kane - Chicago (6 goals, 15 points)
Brad Marchand - Boston (13 points, +7)
Daniel Paille - Boston (8 points, 3 GWG)
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