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These rankings are through May 5.
Legend:
OGVT: Offensive GVT
GGVT: Goaltending GVT
DGVT: Defensive GVT
GVT: Total GVT
Rank Player OGVT/GGVT DGVT GVT
1. Mike Smith, G, Phoenix Coyotes 8.5 0.0 8.5
Comment: The Coyotes have controlled the play better against the Predators than they did against the Blackhawks: they've only been outshot 126-119. But Smith has still stopped over 93% of those shots and has been key in staking a 3-1 series lead.
2. Jonathan Quick, G, Los Angeles Kings 6.4 0.0 6.4
Comment: Quick has the best save percentage (.948) and GAA (1.62) of any goaltender in the playoffs. It also helps that his teammates have scored 12 goals in only three games against the Blues.
3. Claude Giroux, F, Philadelphia Flyers 5.7 0.3 6.0
Comment: Giroux has only scored one point in three games against the Devils, and has averaged only 2.3 shots per game (he averaged 4.7 against the Penguins). He'll need to do much better if the Flyers are to overcome their 2-1 deficit in their series.
4. Henrik Lundqvist, G, New York Rangers 5.9 0.0 5.9
Comment: If the Rangers survive to eliminate the Capitals, Lundqvist's 45-save performance in allowing them to win Game 3 in triple-overtime will be one major reason why.
5. Braden Holtby, G, Washington Capitals 4.2 0.0 4.2
Comment: Holtby has matched the more experienced Lundqvist save for save. If the Capitals make it to the Conference Finals, he may soon have played as many playoff games as he has regular season games (21).
6. Danny Briere, F, Philadelphia Flyers 4.7 -0.6 4.1
Comment: Since the lockout, Briere has scored the most playoff goals (48), assists (57), and points (105), and is third in total playoff GVT behind Henrik Zetterberg and Sidney Crosby.
7. Dustin Brown, F, Los Angeles Kings 3.0 0.7 3.7
Comment: Brown already played 3:19 per game on the power play and 1:40 short-handed during the regular season, but in the playoffs his special teams responsibilities have increased to 3:55 and 2:07.
8. Andy McDonald, F, St. Louis Blues 3.1 0.2 3.3
Comment: Despite trailing in every game, the Blues has only fired an average of 26 shots per game at Jonathan Quick, one reason why they have only scored 5 goals and are trailing their series 3-0. McDonald has points on 2 of those 5 goals.
9. Pekka Rinne, G, Nashville Predators 2.9 0.0 2.9
Comment: After a forgettable game 1, Rinne stopped 55 of 56 shots in games 2 and 3, but the Predators only managed two goals themselves and currently trail their series 2-1.
10. Anze Kopitar, F, Los Angeles Kings 2.3 0.6 2.9
Comment: If Brown is the heart of the Kings, Kopitar is the brain: the wizard who makes the offense hum and the defense robust. He is one of only 3 forwards who have played over 7 minutes per game on special teams (with Ryan Callahan and teammate Mike Richards).
Tom Awad is an author of Hockey Prospectus.
You can contact Tom by clicking here or click here to see Tom's other articles.
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Conn Smythe Watch (05/01)
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