SAN JOSE – The conclusion of the second round is as good a time as any to begin speculating about possible Conn Smythe Trophy winners as MVP of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Sharks’ Logan Couture is firmly in the discussion, leading the NHL in playoff scoring with 17 points (7g, 10a), including a franchise-record setting 11 against Nashville. Bovada.com even sets the Vegas odds at 19/2 for Couture to win the Conn Smythe, tied for fifth highest among players still in the tournament, and first among Sharks.
Couture centered the most consistent line in the second round for the Sharks, with Joonas Donskoi on one side and either Joel Ward or Patrick Marleau on the other.