Conn Smythe Trophy 2016: Sidney Crosby Wins Coveted Award

Sidney Crosby added another accolade to his illustrious career Sunday when he received the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Pittsburgh Penguins downed the San Jose Sharks, 3-1, in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final to win their fourth championship. NBC Sports provided a look at NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman handing Lord Stanley's Cup to Crosby:

Crosby had two assists in the game, including the pass to Kris Letang for the game-winning goal in the second period. He finished the postseason with 19 points in 24 games. Phil Kessel led the team with 22 points.

He won the award despite not scoring a goal in the series, which was a rare feat, per the Elias Sports Bureau (via ESPN Stats & Info):

There were other worthy candidates for the honor.

Kessel was the team's best offensive player, and he led perhaps the best line in the playoffs with Nick Bonino and Carl Hagelin. Rookie goaltender Matt Murray showed tremendous poise throughout the playoffs while also defeating the Washington Capitals' Braden Holtby and the New York Rangers' Henrik Lundqvist en route to winning the Cup. 

The series would not have made it to six games if not for the play of Sharks goalie Martin Jones, who posted two 40-save wins during the matchup. However, no player from a losing team has won the honor since Jean-Sebastien Giguere in 2002-03.

ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun and the Toronto Star's Damien Cox agreed with the decision:

Others, such as the Washington Post's Neil Greenberg, felt the honor was undeserved:

Crosby joined some exclusive company in winning his first Conn Smythe, per SportsNet's Chris Johnston:

NHL Public Relations noted the company Crosby joined in his own franchise:

It was a tough decision, but Crosby is a worthy choice. He was the team's best player against the Sharks, as he seemingly made plays every shift. He was not as strong throughout the entire playoffs, though, as he only had two points in the series against Washington.

Kessel easily could have won the award, but Crosby, as the Penguins' captain and offensive centerpiece, was the catalyst for Pittsburgh during the second half of the season and the team's most indispensable player.