The Stanley Cup Final wrapped up on Sunday night, as the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the San Jose Sharks 3-1 in Game 6 to capture hockey’s biggest trophy. Penguins star Sidney Crosby won the Conn Smythe as most valuable player with a consistently impressive performance, dominating puck possession and putting up 19 points in 24 playoff games. Crosby was a fine choice for the MVP, but there were a few other potential deserving candidates.
Phil Kessel
PITTSBURGH, PA – JUNE 09: Phil Kessel #81 of the Pittsburgh Penguins takes a shot against the San Jose Sharks during the second period in Game Five of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Consol Energy Center on June 9, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Matt Kincaid/Getty Images)
Talk about proving your haters wrong. Kessel had long been unfairly criticized for his effort level, clutchness, and fitness while in Toronto – despite being one of the NHL’s best snipers. A trade to Pittsburgh provided him with an opportunity to change the narrative, and boy, did Kessel do that.
https://twitter.com/myregularface/status/733119740533563392
Matt Murray
PITTSBURGH, PA – MAY 02: Matt Murray #30 of the Pittsburgh Penguins makes a save against the Washington Capitals in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Consol Energy Center on May 2, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Murray joined elite company with Patrick Roy, Cam Ward, and Ken Dryden as a starting rookie goaltender to win a Stanley Cup. You couldn’t tell the 22 year old wasn’t a seasoned veteran with his incredible play throughout the playoffs.
Murray ended up appearing in 21 games for Pittsburgh, posting a remarkable 2.08 goals against average, a solid .923 save percentage and a 15-4-2 record. Aside from a brief hiccup in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, which forced head coach Mike Sullivan to turn to backup Marc-Andre Fleury, Murray was excellent. In the Stanley Cup Final, while not being overly tested at times, he still allowed just 11 total goals in six games.
1. Joel Ward makes a great cutback move, but Matt Murray wasn't biting. Great patience on display! #Pens #SixSaves pic.twitter.com/B0kUgaZv65
— Gregory Balloch (@GregBalloch) June 5, 2016
The youngster is the no-doubt number one starter for the Penguins and should hold that position for the foreseeable future. The Stanley Cup playoffs were his coming out party. Murray should lead Pittsburgh to more Stanley Cup births as he gets more experience, as he’s only going to get better.
San Jose Sharks
SAN JOSE, CA – JUNE 12: Phil Kessel #81 of the Pittsburgh Penguins takes a shot on Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks in the third period in Game Six of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center on June 12, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
It would be unfair to mention the San Jose Sharks, who had a number of impressive performances from their best players.
Martin Jones almost pulled a Jean-Sebastien Giguere in winning the Conn Smythe despite not winning the Stanley Cup. Jones was outstanding in the
Stanley Cup Final, as he faced 40+ shots three times, and 200 total shots in six game. As the Sharks’ offense and defense limped at times, Jones single-handedly kept the Sharks in games.
WANTED: Martin Jones for grand larceny. #SJSharks #StanleyCuphttps://t.co/6o1kDyfZTy
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) June 10, 2016
If there was any doubt about Jones as a number one goalie in the NHL, there aren’t anymore.
Props also go to Logan Couture who led the playoffs in scoring with 20 assists and 30 points in 24 games. After a so-so regular season which was hampered by injuries, Couture was often the Sharks best offensive threat. Brent Burns also deserves some acknowledgment averaging a point per game in the playoffs.
