Quick Is The Favorite For Conn Smythe Trophy

from Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail, The Kings are one win away from a most improbable Stanley Cup victory, in the midst of a 15-2 playoff run, and with a chance to win the Stanley Cup on Wednesday night in the fewest number of games since the Edmonton Oilers went 16-2 with a team of future Hall Of Famers back in 1988.

The Kings have four candidates for the Conn Smythe – Quick, defenceman Drew Doughty, centre Anze Kopitar and captain Dustin Brown. But in the Stanley Cup final, where these things are generally decided, Quick has edged to the front of the line. In the first three games against the New Jersey Devils Quick has stopped 70 of 72 shots. His goals-against average overall is a minuscule 1.32, his save percentage an extraordinary .950. He is outplaying his opposite number, Martin Brodeur, who is considered one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history.

Sometimes, a player facing that sort of heightened pressure and scrutiny can fall flat on his face, but instead, Quick has raised the level of his game. On Tuesday, Quick acknowledged a few jitters before the opening game against the Devils last weekend: “Your mind is racing a little bit, you’re thinking too much. I think that’s natural. After that, though, it’s back to your normal routine, just doing what you can to prepare for a game.”

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Source: http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hockey/comments/quick_is_the_favorite_for_conn_smythe_trophy/

Josh Bailey Mark Eaton Trent Hunter Andy Hilbert Bruno Gervais Dustin Kohn