Just Give Thomas the Conn Smythe

[elocomotive]

Irregardless of how the series ends up and barring some complete collapse, I think the race for the Conn Smythe is over. Obviously we've all witnessed the great saves, but to still be at the top of the stat sheet this late in the playoffs and in such dominant fashion is very impressive. Thomas has gone up against the #1 and #2 offenses in the East and the #1 offense in the West. His GAA is 2.11 and his save percentage is .936 - both tops among goalies playing one round or more.

It's tough to lead in these categories b/c there is often a hot goalie that lasts a round or two whose team goes down that don't have to stand up to increasingly dificult teams in the later rounds.

Here's how Thomas compares to the other goalies that went to the conference finals or deeper this year:
Save percentage - .936 compared to .924 (Rolo), .916 (Luongo), and .896 (Niemi)
Goals against - 2.11 compared to 2.51 (Rolo), 2.54 (Luongo), and Niemi 3.22

Those aren't even close. That would be like winning a 100-yard dash by a full second in the Olympics. To give even more perspective, last year's Finals goalies finished 4th and 7th in save percentage and 3rd and 8th in goals against. Showing that as the playoffs go deeper, it's tough to continue to perform at that high level.

On top of that, who else would you pick?

For Vancouver, The Sedins, Kesler, and Burrows all have between 17-21 points and most have a negative +/-. For Boston, Krejci, Bergeron, Horton, Marchand, and Ryder all have 15-22 points and nearly identical +/-s. Not to mention the guy that turned the series against the Bolts was actually Tyler Seguin.

Regardless of who wins the Cup, Timmy T should get the Conn Smythe.

 

[pixburgher66]

I'm not sure there's a contest anymore...unless a guy like Kesler steps up and dominates the next 2-3 games, it's Thomas'. No one else for the B's will get it if they win the Cup, and no one else will deserve it if the Nucks win it UNLESS someone goes nuts in the last few games.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

Irregardless of how the series ends up and barring some complete collapse, I think the race for the Conn Smythe is over. Obviously we've all witnessed the great saves, but to still be at the top of the stat sheet this late in the playoffs and in such dominant fashion is very impressive. Thomas has gone up against the #1 and #2 offenses in the East and the #1 offense in the West. His GAA is 2.11 and his save percentage is .936 - both tops among goalies playing one round or more.

It's tough to lead in these categories b/c there is often a hot goalie that lasts a round or two whose team goes down that don't have to stand up to increasingly dificult teams in the later rounds.

Here's how Thomas compares to the other goalies that went to the conference finals or deeper this year:
Save percentage - .936 compared to .924 (Rolo), .916 (Luongo), and .896 (Niemi)
Goals against - 2.11 compared to 2.51 (Rolo), 2.54 (Luongo), and Niemi 3.22

Those aren't even close. That would be like winning a 100-yard dash by a full second in the Olympics. To give even more perspective, last year's Finals goalies finished 4th and 7th in save percentage and 3rd and 8th in goals against. Showing that as the playoffs go deeper, it's tough to continue to perform at that high level.

On top of that, who else would you pick?

For Vancouver, The Sedins, Kesler, and Burrows all have between 17-21 points and most have a negative +/-. For Boston, Krejci, Bergeron, Horton, Marchand, and Ryder all have 15-22 points and nearly identical +/-s. Not to mention the guy that turned the series against the Bolts was actually Tyler Seguin.

Regardless of who wins the Cup, Timmy T should get the Conn Smythe.

hes had an amazing year and amazing playoffs ... I dont disagree with you

No writer is going to vote for a canuck win or lose

 

[Nasty_Magician]

Well I'm bias, but the Conn Smythe should not go to a player on the losing team. If the B's win give it to Thomas. If the Canucks win give it to Kesler.

 

[elocomotive]

Well I'm bias, but the Conn Smythe should not go to a player on the losing team..

Why?

For me, that's what makes it the best playoff MVP trophy in sports b/c (a) your team doesn't have to win for one player to be the most impactful individual and (b) it factors the entire playoffs, not just the finals.

 

[SLY]

Why?

For me, that's what makes it the best playoff MVP trophy in sports b/c (a) your team doesn't have to win for one player to be the most impactful individual and (b) it factors the entire playoffs, not just the finals.

Precisely.

 

[Nasty_Magician]

Why?

For me, that's what makes it the best playoff MVP trophy in sports b/c (a) your team doesn't have to win for one player to be the most impactful individual and (b) it factors the entire playoffs, not just the finals.

Not buying it. Should be the MVP of the team that wins. Who was the best player on the best team in the league? That's what the award should be.

 

[devs30rko]

I fully agreed when jiggy got it in a,loss and ill fully agree I'd Thomas does, in fact ill be PISSED if he doesn't there is no one who is even close to his compete level right now

 

[Tacoma_canuck]

Yeah, there really isn't even a contender for the award other than Thomas. He would have to have a monumental collapse in the next 2-3 games and someone on the Canucks would have to break out with a couple of 4-5 point nights to make it a debate.

I've never been a believer in it having to be on the winner and this league has shown in the past, that winning isn't the main criteria. You can't just say who played best on the winner because if things are evenly spread around, you are giving a major award for mediocrity. The Devils in 03 was a perfect example. No outstanding performances but a whole bunch of good, solid performances. It had to go to Giguerre.

 

[dash]

I remember when Reggie Leach won it for the Flyers in '76 (although the Habs defeated the Flyers in the SCF). Leach scored 19 goals during those playoffs. A lot of people thought Larry Robinson should have won it, but Reggie got the nod.

 

[elocomotive]

Not buying it. Should be the MVP of the team that wins. Who was the best player on the best team in the league? That's what the award should be.

Ok - it's certainly a tenable position. But that isn't how the award is defined presently or how the writers are instructed to vote. Not that the writers always follow the instructions when voting - the Hart Award certainly has gone to guys that were more "outstanding" than "most valuable" to their team.

 

[Nasty_Magician]

Aside from my stance on how the Conn Smythe should be awarded, Thomas is playing spectacular.

 

[beantownmaniac]

<----This Avi has been MVP. Give it to me!!!

 

[jstewismybastardson]

the obvious choice for the Conn Smythe:

 

[Eddie_Shack]

the obvious choice for the Conn Smythe:

What a creepy picture, in a "friendly uncle" sort of way.

 

[Darkstone42]

Irregardless of how the series ends up and barring some complete collapse, I think the race for the Conn Smythe is over. Obviously we've all witnessed the great saves, but to still be at the top of the stat sheet this late in the playoffs and in such dominant fashion is very impressive. Thomas has gone up against the #1 and #2 offenses in the East and the #1 offense in the West. His GAA is 2.11 and his save percentage is .936 - both tops among goalies playing one round or more.

It's tough to lead in these categories b/c there is often a hot goalie that lasts a round or two whose team goes down that don't have to stand up to increasingly dificult teams in the later rounds.

Here's how Thomas compares to the other goalies that went to the conference finals or deeper this year:
Save percentage - .936 compared to .924 (Rolo), .916 (Luongo), and .896 (Niemi)
Goals against - 2.11 compared to 2.51 (Rolo), 2.54 (Luongo), and Niemi 3.22

Those aren't even close. That would be like winning a 100-yard dash by a full second in the Olympics. To give even more perspective, last year's Finals goalies finished 4th and 7th in save percentage and 3rd and 8th in goals against. Showing that as the playoffs go deeper, it's tough to continue to perform at that high level.

On top of that, who else would you pick?

For Vancouver, The Sedins, Kesler, and Burrows all have between 17-21 points and most have a negative +/-. For Boston, Krejci, Bergeron, Horton, Marchand, and Ryder all have 15-22 points and nearly identical +/-s. Not to mention the guy that turned the series against the Bolts was actually Tyler Seguin.

Regardless of who wins the Cup, Timmy T should get the Conn Smythe.

How did you get it so wrong, and then get it so right?

 

[IPostedWhat]

How did you get it so wrong, and then get it so right?

That point is irregardless right now, regardless of what you may think.

 

[BOSSMANPC]

Well I'm bias, but the Conn Smythe should not go to a player on the losing team. If the B's win give it to Thomas. If the Canucks win give it to Kesler.

I disagree, The MVP is the the player that played the best regardless if they win or lose. Goalies don't score goals but if they play light's out and even if they lose deserve the award.

Thomas has far and away been the best player during the playoffs and shouldn't be denied the award if the Bruins do not win and like other have said someone would have to play light's out for either team for the last two games to win it.

I'm sure he would trade the MVP for the cup if given the chance but he deserves it as of now.

 

[elocomotive]

How did you get it so wrong, and then get it so right?

Classhole!

 

[Eddie_Shack]

I disagree, The MVP is the the player that played the best regardless if they win or lose. Goalies don't score goals but if they play light's out and even if they lose deserve the award.

Thomas has far and away been the best player during the playoffs and shouldn't be denied the award if the Bruins do not win and like other have said someone would have to play light's out for either team for the last two games to win it.

I'm sure he would trade the MVP for the cup if given the chance but he deserves it as of now.

I agree. Both Sedins, Lou, and Kes are all valid candidates on Vancouver's side, but where is Boston without Thomas? I don't see them in the Finals at all.