Just Give Thomas the Conn Smythe

[puckhead]

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.

- Kesler absolutely owned the nashville series (something like 10 points out of 13 goals in the series)
- and the Robots were terrific against SJ (Henrik 12 points in 5 games)
- Longo has been very, very strong... and then not so much


While timmay was taking heat for his play in the TB series... he's been remarkable in the finals (when it counts the most), and has stats that are so much better than any other goalie in the final 4.
Krejci has been quietly productive all playoffs, but it's been steady, but not dominating.

bottom line is - with Van, you've got 3 guys getting consideration, so no one stands out.

 

[Automattic]

This one is Joe Thorton's to lose.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

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.

This is what I came to say, thanks for beating me to it Boss.

The guy has lost two 1-0 shutout games. It's just not possible in my mind to hold him responsible for either of those games. If you can post a GAA of 1.2 in the series (I know it's actually slightly different because of the OT minutes and the empty net minutes, but I went with the easy goals/games formula) and still be down 3-2 in the series, there's no way you can be blamed for any of that.

 

[Eddie_Shack]

This is what I came to say, thanks for beating me to it Boss.

The guy has lost two 1-0 shutout games. It's just not possible in my mind to hold him responsible for either of those games. If you can post a GAA of 1.2 in the series (I know it's actually slightly different because of the OT minutes and the empty net minutes, but I went with the easy goals/games formula) and still be down 3-2 in the series, there's no way you can be blamed for any of that.

To paraphrase isles4cups, "if it weren't for that bum Thomas, Boston would have won 0-0".

 

[Automattic]

To paraphrase isles4cups, "if it weren't for that bum Thomas, Boston would have won 0-0".

I have always pictured you as a 6'5" Calvin...

 

[Eddie_Shack]

Pretty much, also my relationship with Susie Derkins is very complicated.

 

[puckhead]

some interesting arguments against Timmay for locking up C.S.
(read from bottom to top to make more sense)

dtolensky Daniel Tolensky
If Thomas were to lose on Monday night he will finish with 14-10 playoff record and will have lost 6 of his last 10 games (4 or 5 by 1 goal)

Giguere was 12-1 in one-goal games in 2003. Thomas is 6-5 in these playoffs (3 losses in Final). Luongo is 11-4 (3 wins 1-0).

Thomas has been fantastic but Boston has had many outstanding performances this Spring - Krejci, Bergeron, Horton, Chara & Seidenberg.

In my opinion for a losing player to win the Conn Smythe he has to single-handedly carry his team like Giguere.

Despite going to final, Anaheim's leading scorers (Oates & Sykora - 13 pts) finished T10th in playoff scoring. Rucchin led in goals with 7.

Giguere was 15-6 in those playoffs with a 1.62 GAA, .945 SVP & 5 shutouts. He allowed more than 3 goals once and went 7-0 in OT games.

Only once in the last 22 seasons has the Conn Smythe award been given to a player on the losing team - Jean-Sebastien Giguere in 2003.

 

[Eddie_Shack]

Well dammit, puck, now I don't know what to think. I still say TT is Boston's MVP, but so many players have been stepping up for Vancouver at different times and in different series that I'm struggling to name a Conn Smythe candidate for them as well.

 

[dash]

^^^

It's very tough to compare pre-lockout to post-lockout numbers, especially for goalies in my opinion. I mean, if a team scored 4 goals in the pre-lockout days (dead puck era), it was considered an offensive explosion.

 

[BOSSMANPC]

It's a TEAM sport and if one guy player plays lights out why shouldn't he win it even if his team doesn't win?

Is Doug Williams a better QB than Dan Marino because he was Super Bowl MVP?

If a goalie is under siege for six or seven games and keeps his team in the running he deserves the MVP...IMO.

There is too much emphasis put on who won and who played great. Some players don't have the supporting cast that others do. Using that logic Barry Sanders should never be in the hall of fame. Look at the Lions record.

I just disagree with that thinking, I am not even a Bruins fan and I think unless something goes to hell in a hand basket he should be the MVP. The cup may go to the Canucks but TT has clearly been the best player in the finals.

JMO.

 

[BOSSMANPC]

Well dammit, puck, now I don't know what to think. I still say TT is Boston's MVP, but so many players have been stepping up for Vancouver at different times and in different series that I'm struggling to name a Conn Smythe candidate for them as well.

You just answered your own question. Consistency.

 

[elocomotive]

Thomas is 6-5 in these playoffs (3 losses in Final). Luongo is 11-4 (3 wins 1-0).

That's all well and good. The difference is that in one-goal games, Vancouver was usually ahead and Luongo had to make a couple good saves to keep his team rolling. On the other hand, over stretches, Thomas has won games for his team where the team itself was dominated by the opponent and he kept them in it long enough to eek out the win. And many of their wins weren't one-goal wins b/c Thomas shut down the other team to 1 goal when most other goalies would have given up 3-4 goals. Lou has been solid (even great at times) but has a much better overall defensive team in front of him than any other. I saw a Vancouver fan asking the other night if Lou was done in Vancouver after this year. You don't write that when you're playing great as a goalie. He's looked downright awful over some short spurts. Thomas has been outstanding and at top level just about every night since the middle of April.

I think you're right that a losing team member (IF Boston loses, not over yet) rarely wins and it takes exceptional circumstances. I think this year fits the bill for that.

 

[puckhead]

Well dammit, puck, now I don't know what to think. I still say TT is Boston's MVP, but so many players have been stepping up for Vancouver at different times and in different series that I'm struggling to name a Conn Smythe candidate for them as well.

goal scoring by series:
Chi - Daniel
Nash - Kesler
SJ - Henrik
Bos (so far) - Burrows/Torres

 

[Tacoma_canuck]

I find the Giguerre comparisons interesting. I think that year has some similarities in one respect. In the final, the Devils were a superior overall team and did it by committee. There was no real stand-out by any one guy but every night, a different guy stepped in to do the job and there were a couple games that they didn't look good. Much like the Canucks this year. I think taking the series to 7 games was big but I also think the early round domination by Giguerre against teams like the Wings had a lot to do with his numbers and winning it, too. He was great but his final wasn't this dominating or even close.

I think this year, Timmy maybe wasn't dominant in the first and third rounds all the time but he did steal some wins and got his team to the big dance and when they got here, he has dominated the final like no other. This thing still isn't over. I still think there will probably be a game 7 and we all know, anything can happen then. But even if the Bruins lose game 6, I think Thomas already has this thing locked up or as close to as possible. Really, the closest comparison is Crozier in 66,imo.

 

[pixburgher66]

Pretty much, also my relationship with Susie Derkins is very complicated.

Pshh, we know you get married:

 

[Eddie_Shack]

Pshh, we know you get married:

Impossible!