Conn Smythe Watch: Tyler Johnson vs. Corey Perry for current MVP

Welcome to our Conn Smythe Watch, which chronicles the ever-changing race for playoff MVP. Keep in mind that we factor in the probability of a long playoff run into these choices. Who are the current favorites for playoff MVP? Glad you asked.

1. Tyler Johnson, Tampa Bay Lightning (2)

He scored the latest regulation goal in Lightning playoff history to win Game 3, giving him a playoffs-leading eight goals and 11 points overall. Johnson has three game-winning goals. 

2. Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks (1)

Scorey Perry has six goals and eight assists in seven games. How hum, a 2.00 PPG playoff average.

3. Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals (NR)

Holtby has a .950 save percentage and a 1.48 GAA in 10 games, carrying the Capitals through their series against Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers.

4. Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks (NR)

A month ago, we weren’t even sure Kane would play in the second round. Now he has 11 points in nine games, including six goals.

5. Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks (6)

He has 12 points in seven games for the Ducks, and is winning over 53 percent of his faceoffs.

6. Ben Bishop, Tampa Bay Lightning (NR)

The Bolts goalie has a 1.65 GAA and a .937 save percentage, matching Caey Price’s efforts in the second round. Only difference: His team can score.

7. Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks (3)

Keith has 10 points in nine games and that double-OT game-winner in the first round. He’s still averaging 30:44 per game in average time on ice.

8. Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers (4)

The Rangers will have to win three straight to beat the Capitals, but if anyone game do it Lundqvist can. He has a 1.64 GAA and a .939 save percentage in nine games.

9. Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals (5)

Ovechkin has four goals and four assists in 11 games, but is skating to a minus-3. To the surprise of no one, he leads the NHL playoffs with 47 shots.

10. Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames (NR)

The hero of Game 3 has three goals and four assists in nine games for the still-hanging-on Flames.