#87 Sidney Crosby, Captain, Pittsburgh Penguins

A few years ago, Sidney Crosby was the youngest captain to win a Stanley Cup at 21 years old*. The Pittsburgh Penguins and captain claimed their second Stanley Cup tonight. Crosby was awarded his first Conn Smythe Trophy; MVP of the NHL playoffs.

The award is reflective of all four rounds of the playoffs, but the final is deemed most important to the 18 voting members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Notable members being Bob Mckenzie (TSN) and Elliotte Friedman (Hockey Night in Canada).

18 ballots are cast, 3 beat writers that cover each team and 12 other at-larger journalists.

Ballots must be cast before the third period before the Stanley Cup is awarded. This is to avoid biases based on the winning team.

If the team with 3 wins cannot clinch a 4th win, the ballots are thrown out and recasted next game.

Ballots can include weight such as “If #9 scores a goal or if#31 gets a shutout else #87”.

Ballots can be cast for a losing team’s player as well. Here’s a list of players who have received the Conn Smythe Trophy from the losing team:

Roger Crozier, 1966, goaltender, Detroit Red Wings Glenn Hall, 1968, goaltender, St. Louis Blues Reggie Leach, 1976, right wing, Philadelphia Flyers Ron Hextall, 1987, goaltender, Philadelphia Flyers Jean-Sebastien Giguere, 2003, goaltender, Anaheim Mighty Ducks

This playoffs, did Crosby deserve the honour? I was voting Kessel.