NHL Playoffs 2012: Top 12 Favorites to Win the Conn Smythe Trophy

The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded to the the NHL's most valuable player in the playoffs. A Conn Smythe winner is usually a member of the Stanley Cup-winning team, but there are exceptions. J.S. Giguere won the trophy as a member of the losing Anaheim Ducks in 2003 against the New Jersey Devils.

To win a Stanley Cup, a playoff contender needs someone to go above and beyond the call of duty.

So far, a few players have emerged as clutch playoff performers who have led their teams to a series lead.

With that in mind, let's take a look at the favorites to win the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Jonathan Quick

The Los Angeles Kings are on the verge of sweeping the defending Western Conference champions, and Jonathan Quick is a huge reason why. The Kings' goaltender is 3-0-0 with a 1.33 GAA and one shutout so far against the Canucks.

Going into this series, many thought the Canucks would steamroll the Kings en route to a date with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup final. Up to this point, the Canucks have not generated any significant offense and if Quick keeps up his solid play, the Kings really could go all the way to the final and Quick would have a great shot to win the Conn Smythe Trophy. 

Claude Giroux

Up to this point, Claude Giroux is the NHL's leading playoff scorer. With four goals and four assists, Giroux has been a big reason why the Philadelphia Flyers have taken a dominating 3-0 series lead over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

When the Flyers traded Jeff Carter and Mike Richards, they were criticized for dealing away offensive performers for rookies and prospects. However, in hindsight the move has really paid off and on the stick of Giroux, the Flyers will most likely move on to the next round.

With Giroux's top play, it is conceivable that he is a favorite to win the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Henrik Lundqvist

The New York Rangers took a 2-1 series lead on Monday night against the Ottawa Senators. Henrik Lundqvist was a huge reason why, as he shut the door en route to a 39-save shutout. Lundqvist is 2-0-1 in the series and has a 1.66 GAA.

During the regular season, Lundqvist was a leading favorite for the Vezina Trophy and was named as a potential Hart Trophy finalist.

If the Rangers can win the Stanley Cup, it will be primarily on the back of Lundqvist. Therefore, that makes him a prime contender for the Conn Smythe, especially if he can continue to post lights-out numbers.

Brian Elliot

With Jaroslav Halak out of the picture, the St.Louis Blues will be forced to rely on Brian Elliot. Elliot was dominant during the regular season and will need to do the same thing for the Blues to be successful in the playoffs.

So far, Elliot has done an solid job filling in for Halak, and if he can lead the Blues to Stanley Cup glory, Elliot has a good chance to take home the hardware.

Evgeni Malkin

The Penguins are down 0-3 against the Flyers and if by some chance the Penguins can turn it around, odds are Evgeni Malkin will play a huge role. Malkin is the 2011-12 Art Ross Trophy winner and there is a good chance he will win the Hart Trophy.

The Penguins are in some dire circumstances and if Malkin can help salvage the series and get the Penguins train back on the track, he will be a prime candidate to win the Conn Smythe Trophy a second time.

Pekka Rinne

Goaltending is so crucial to playoff success, and if the Nashville Predators can complete the unlikely journey to the Stanley Cup final, Pekka Rinne will deserve some serious recognition. Rinne is a top-notch goaltender who has emerged as one of the league's best.

Rinne was the winningest goaltender in this year's regular season and was a huge reason why the Predators were successful. Rinne's play in the postseason will be the difference between the Predators being a postseason failure or a Stanley Cup champion. 

Brad Richards

Richards won this award back in 2004, and there is no reason why he can't do it again. Richards embodies a few characteristics that would make him a prime candidate for the award.

Historically, Richards is a clutch playoff performer and a leader. Those two things make him a prime contender for the Conn Smythe Trophy if the Rangers go the distance and win the Stanley Cup.

In 66 playoff games, Richards has 63 points. If he continues this almost point-per-game pace, he could garner some serious recognition for the playoff MVP award.

Mike Smith

The Phoenix Coyotes are not a team many would peg as a Stanley Cup contender, but Mike Smith could change that. For the past few weeks leading up to and including the playoffs, Smith has been white hot. The Coyotes are currently tied in their series with the Chicago Blackhawks, but Smith could prove to be the difference.

Smith is a goaltender who can steal a series if given an opportunity, and if the Coyotes ride him all the way to a Stanley Cup championship, Smith should win this piece of hardware. He will fall short in the Vezina Trophy race, but this is a trophy Smith has a great chance of winning.

Tim Thomas

The Boston Bruins are the defending Stanley Cup champions, and reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner Tim Thomas could repeat if he leads the Bruins back to the Cup. The Bruins have a 2-1 series lead and Tim Thomas is currently engaged in a serious goaltender's duel with Braden Holtby,

If the Bruins advance past the first round, they will have a good chance at returning to the Stanley Cup final. Thomas has shown he can steal a series in the past, so there is no reason why he can't do it again.

No matter how you slice it, Thomas has the history and credentials needed to win this award.

Pavel Datsyuk

Not only is Pavel Datsyuk a wizard on the ice, he is one of the most important players on the Detroit Red Wings. Datsyuk is a player who can be a real game-changer, and that is something that the Red Wings will need to thwart the Nashville Predators in Round 1.

Datsyuk is a veteran leader on the Red Wings, and there is no reason why he can't put them on his back as they attempt to win another Stanley Cup championship.

Daniel Briere

Daniel Briere is one of the most clutch playoff performers in league history. In 100 career playoff games, Briere has a staggering 101 points. When the lights are at their brightest, Briere has a knack of stepping up and making an impact.

The Flyers are on the verge of knocking out the Pittsburgh Penguins, and there is no telling how far they could go. Briere is an ace playoff veteran, and this is an award for a player like him.

Jonathan Toews

Jonathan Toews is a proven playoff performer who won the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2010. He also won the Conn Smythe Trophy. He missed some time leading up to the playoffs and now he is back.

Toews is a player who is emerging as one of the league's top two-way forwards and he leads by example. The Blackhawks have multiple offensive weapons and have the experience.

Some personnel has changed since the Blackhawks won it all, but captain Jonathan Toews is still playing a predominant role. It is that reason why the former Conn Smythe winner could capture the trophy once again this June.

Tom Urtz Jr. is an NHL Featured Columnist.

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