Updated Conn Smythe Rankings After Round 2 of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs

In our first installment, we learned exactly who Conn Smythe was and why one of the NHL's most significant trophies was named for him. (Quite a few readers, by the way, noted his distinct resemblance to the Monopoly guy).

The Conn Smythe Trophy is crowned with a maple leaf adorning a replica of the old Maple Leaf Gardens, which in case you hadn't guessed by now was to commemorate Smythe's long involvement with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Only one Maple Leaf (Dave Keon in 1967) has ever won a Conn Smythe by the way.

Moving right along, this is your updated list of Conn Smythe Trophy favorites as the NHL playoffs move on to the conference finals.

The list includes only players still playing, which makes sense because nobody from a team that failed to make the Stanley Cup Final has ever won it. Five players—Roger Crozier, Glenn Hall, Reggie Leach, Ron Hextall and J.S. Giguere—from losing finals teams have won it.

As far as criteria for the rankings, they are a mix of my uncanny judgment, followed by more than just points and ice time, but valuable points in the toughest moments on the ice. 

Here we go.

8. Jakob Silfverberg, Anaheim Ducks

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He posted four points in the final two games against Calgary to keep his point production (11, with three goals) near the top of the playoff scoring race. The Art Ross Trophy goes to the leader in points in the regular season. Can we call it the Arthur Ross for the playoffs, or the Artie Ross? 

If he can get into the upper teens by the end of the playoffs, and if Corey Perry or Ryan Getzlaf were to slump a little, Silfverberg might just have a real shot at it. 

As Mark Whicker of the Los Angeles Daily News observed recently about Silfverberg: 

"

This is easily his best NHL season. He played in 81 games and was plus-13. He managed 39 points, which seems low considering that the Ducks traded Bobby Ryan, a goal machine, to Ottawa for him. But the Ducks needed more diligent off-the-puck play throughout their lineup, and, besides, Silfverberg has the shot and the instincts to eventually give Anaheim 20 goals a season.

"

7. Ryan Kesler, Anaheim Ducks

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The goals and assists were impressive enough through his first nine playoff games (four goals, five assists, plus-three). But try this stat on for size: 63.7. 

That was the success rate at which Kesler won faceoffs in the first two rounds. In a game that prizes puck possession more than ever, Kesler at the faceoff usually means one thing: Anaheim is going to get it.

It will be fun watching Kesler try to shadow Jonathan Toews in the Western Conference Final. He plays a physical, agitating type of game defensively, but it takes a lot to get Toews mentally off his game. It has happened though.

Kesler loves the big games. This is why he wanted to get out of Vancouver, because it wasn't playing in them anymore. I think he has a great series.

6. Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks

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Only nine defensemen have ever won the trophy, so why not Keith for the 10th? The case for Keith is impressive to this point. He has 10 points in his first 10 games at a league-leading plus-10.

Keith played more than 29 minutes in three games of Chicago's second-round sweep of Minnesota, and he figures to play even more against an Anaheim team featuring Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf up front. 

“He’s a freak,” Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane said, per NHL.com. “He’s one of those athletes you don’t see every day. He’s as physically fit and prepared as they come, and he’s a guy that obviously loves playing hockey.”

A few more goals/points might be needed for Keith to win it, as voters almost always either go to the goalie stats to see who has the lowest GAA or to the scorers to see who has the most before voting (usually with 10 minutes to go in the final game). 

Otherwise, his candidacy is most worthy.

5. Tyler Johnson, Tampa Bay Lightning

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He slowed down a bit in the latter stages of the second round against Montreal. But Johnson still leads all NHL goal scorers with eight, to go with four assists. 

A good series against the Rangers, with Tampa Bay moving on to the Final, and Johnson would be well on his way to a Conn Smythe possibly.

Lightning teammates such as Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos are just barely behind Johnson in scoring, but Johnson's goals have made a bigger impact in these playoffs, and it's why he would deserve a Conn Smythe ahead of those two if the voting ended today.

4. Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers

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One of the most amazing stats—and I'll say in all of history—was captured by Sideline Buzz writer Andrew Shapiro on Twitter concerning Henrik Lundqvist's play on the 13th day in the merry month of May the past three years. Shapiro wrote:

"5/13/13: Henrik 35 saves, Rangers win Game 7. 5/13/14: Henrik 35 saves, Rangers win Game 7. 5/13/15: Henrik 35 saves, Rangers win Game 7."

Seriously? It's true. Game 7s against King Henry don't turn out so well for his opponents. Of course, the only thing missing from his big-game reputation is a Stanley Cup. After a superb second-round showing against Washington, especially in Games 5-7, Lundqvist is well back in the hunt for a Conn Smythe Trophy.

3. Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks

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A broken clavicle? Big deal.

Patrick Kane paid it no mind, coming back early to be a playoff force for the Blackhawks. Many didn't think he'd be able to return from the regular-season injury until the second round, at best. Instead, he's played every game and been terrific.

He will enter Game 1 against Anaheim on Sunday on a five-game goal streak, two of them game-winners.

With the Blackhawks having so much rest between Rounds 2 and 3, Kane should be at even better health. 

2. Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks

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Captain Serious is eight wins away from his third Stanley Cup. This is his fifth Western Conference Final in the last seven years.

He posted four goals and seven assists in the first 10 games, and he did quite a defensive job on Minnesota centers Mikko Koivu and Mikael Granlund in the second round. He just keeps on doing all the fundamentals right, at a high level, on a consistent basis. He's also a Selke Trophy finalist for the fourth time in five years.

He always seems to be thinking one play ahead of others. That's what they always say about the great ones, right?

1. Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks

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His play in the second round against Calgary did nothing to diminish his Conn Smythe chances. 

He scored the overtime winner to clinch the series in Game 5, not long after hobbling off the ice following a collision with the Flames' Matt Stajan. That goal kept Perry atop the playoff leaderboard of all NHL scorers (15 points). He's also second in the league with a plus-eight. 

Whether he goes into the Western Conference Final a bit hobbled after the Stajan hit remains to be seen. Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said he was "sore" Monday, but even if Game 1 had been Tuesday night against Chicago (it's actually Sunday night), you know Perry would have been out there. The extra rest he'll get until Game 1 only assures his presence even more.