Now that we’re halfway through the 2018 NHL playoffs, it’s time to parry possible Conn Smythe candidates down to a more manageable few, starting with the Winnipeg Jets’ Mark Scheifele, who became the first player in NHL history to score seven goals on the road in a single playoff series in their win over the President’s Trophy winners from Nashville. As the highest remaining seed, the Jets have home ice advantage from here until the end of the playoffs and it’s hard not to start whispering about the possibility of a Canadian team finally winning the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1993. Scheifele has edged his way into the heart of the conversation for playoff MVP. The top four scorers after two rounds are all gone, leaving Scheifele sitting atop the active list, with 11 goals in 12 games heading into a date with the Vegas Golden Knights.



Scheifele had an especially dynamic second round, but the Jets have had oodles of important contributors...