New York Rangers to Win the Stanley Cup, but Who Gets the Conn Smythe Trophy?

As the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs get ready to start tomorrow every team is on a clean slate.  That's right, at this point, seeding doesn't really matter.  Any team can win come playoff time.

A hot goalie, a hot scorer or two, a consistent, stifling defense combined with a decent offense are all enough to win at least one series.

Running into a team that just doesn't have enough left in the tank, or has too many injuries can also get you through to the next round.

But, getting through each round, then hoisting the cup over your head at the end, that takes a little bit of everything, and a Conn Smythe Trophy winner (with the exception of a few years).

I believe the New York Rangers have what it takes to win the Cup.

Captain Jaromir Jagr will need to control the pace of every game, and when feet are dragging, he will need to get them moving.  He will score his fair share of points, but won't win the Conn Smythe.

Brendan Shanahan will be vital to the cup run, still, he won't win the Conn Smythe either.

Scott Gomez, led the Rangers in assists, and was second in points during the regular season, and he will probably do the same in the playoffs, but he won't be this years Conn Smythe Trophy Winner.

Game in and game out, the Rangers will play a solid team defense.  No defenseman will really stand out enough though to win the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist is one of the best in the game, and the Rangers will rely on him to steal a couple games from some opponents.  But he won't win the Conn Smythe.

The New York Rangers will look to Chris Drury to lead them to the Stanley Cup.

Rangers fans will hope for the clutch goals they saw him score last year, except this time, scoring for the Rangers, not against them.

Chris Drury will finish the postseason with one of, if not the highest face-off win percentages.

Drury was also the Broadway Blueshirts leading goal scorer this season (tied with Jagr), he will probably lead them in goals again, and possibly lead the entire playoffs in that category.

Regardless of how many goals he scores, prepare to hear a lot of "Drury shoots, HE SCORES!!!!!  The Rangers win it in overtime."