Through his defense, leadership and clutch plays, Niedermayer led the Ducks all the way to a Stanley Cup title over Ottawa. There were many other great players on that Anaheim team, but Niedermayer was old reliable when it mattered the most.
9 Nicklas Lidstrom, D Detroit Red Wings
Lidstrom was one of the many great players on this Red Wings title team, but like Niedermayer he was always dependable on defense and he could provide a spark offensively if the Red Wings needed him.
8 Brad Richards, C Tampa Bay Lightning
Richards had many key goals throughout the playoffs and in the Stanley Cup final. This was a phenomenal series and Richards was outstanding throughout.
7 Henrik Zetterberg, C Detroit Red Wings
Zetterberg is an outstanding hockey player and he had a typical Zetterberg series against Pittsburgh in 2008. He had tons of assists and game changing goals during the playoffs to help Detroit win it's second title of the decade.
6 Jonathan Toews, C Chicago Blackhawks
At the age of 22, Towes captained the Blackhawks to their first Stanley Cup in four decades. He was a key component in the Chicago offense, which had plenty of goal outbursts including 7 against Philadelphia in Game 5.
5 Cam Ward, G Carolina Hurricanes
Postseason Stats
15-8, 2.14 GAA, .920 SV%, 2 SO, First Rookie to win Conn Smythe
Stanley Cup Finals
4-3, 2.28 GAA, 1 SO
Now, here are the five more impressive Conn Smythe performances. Cam Ward, only a rookie and not even the starting goaltender when the playoffs began stayed hot throughout the entire playoffs to lead cinderella Carolina over the even bigger cinderella Edmonton.
4 Evgeni Malkin, C Pittsburgh Penguins
Postseason Stats
14 Goals, 22 Assists, 36 Points, +3, 3 Game Winning Goals
Stanley Cup Finals
2 Goals, 6 Assists
Malkin's 36 points throughout the playoffs were the second most in the Stanley Cup playoffs since Wayne Gretzky had 40 back in 1993. So to be second to the great one in any comparison is impressive. Malkin, along with Sidney Crosby guided the Penguins past the Red Wings in 7 games.
3 Jean-Sebastian Giguere, G Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Postseason Stats
15-6 , 1.62 GAA, .945 SV%, 5 SO, 3 Straight Shut-Outs in Western Finals
Stanley Cup Finals
3-4, 1.85 GAA, 1 SO
Giguere is the only player on this list, and only one of six in NHL history, to win the Conn Smythe award being a part of a losing team. The Mighty Ducks lost in 7 games to the New Jersey Devils, but Giguere was dominant throughout, especially in the Western Finals against Minnesota when he did not allow a goal in the first three games.
2 Patrick Roy, G Colorado Avalanche
Postseason Stats
16-7, 1.70 GAA, .934 SV%, 4 SO, 3rd Conn Smythe Award
Stanley Cup Finals
4-3, 1.85 GAA, 2 SO
Roy won the Conn Smythe award three times and in three different decades. Roy might have been the greatest goaltender of all time and his most impressive playoff run might have came at the tail end of his career when at the age of 36, he was the backbone of the Avalanche championship victory over New Jersey. His goals against average and save percentage were ridiculous and when it mattered the most in Game 7 against New Jersey, he shut them right down to capture the Stanley Cup.
1 Tim Thomas, G Boston Bruins
Postseason Stats
16-9, 2.04 GAA, .939 SV%, 4 SO
Stanley Cup Finals
4-3, 1.14 GAA, .967 SV&, 2 SO, Game 7 Road Shut Out
Thomas had some of the gutsiest saves and performances I have ever seen in the NHL. Whenever the Bruins needed him, he was there. I remember the save he made in Game 5 against Montreal while in double overtime. After a pass on a 2-1, Thomas dove across the crease and stopped what would've been the game winner and the goal that would've sent the Bruins to edge of elimination. It was right in front of me and it was the greatest save I have ever seen. His stick save against the post against Tampa Bay was ridiculous as well. To top it all off, Thomas against Vancouver, along with the stellar Boston defense, held the league's top offense to 8 goals in 7 games. Thomas stopped all 37 Canuck shots in Game 7 as the Bruins captured the Stanley Cup, which is why Tim Thomas's postseason performance puts him on top of this list.
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