The Penguins top candidates to win the Conn Smythe Trophy

PITTSBURGH — Has Phil Kessel done more for the Pittsburgh Penguins than Sidney Crosby in the Penguins’ playoff run? And has rookie goalie Matt Murray done more for the cause than either of them?

If the Penguins capture the Stanley Cup tonight by winning Game 5 against the San Jose Sharks (8 p.m., ET, NBC), these questions will have to be answered by the panel of Professional Hockey Writers Association members who will vote on the Conn Smythe Trophy, given annually to the NHL’s playoff MVP.

The voting might be close enough, especially between Crosby and Kessel, that what happens in tonight’s game could have a direct bearing on voting results:

It should be noted that players from the Stanley Cup runner-up have won the Conn Smythe in the past, but it won’t happen this season because the Sharks’ top players thus far are struggling in the Stanley Cup Final. Should the Sharks win tonight, it will be a different story moving forward.

Here are the Penguins’ top candidates:

Kessel: The speedy winger’s consistently impressive play has been the talk of the postseason. He leads the Penguins in goals (10) and points (21) in 22 games. Coach Mike Sullivan has raved about his plucky overall game. He has a goal and two assists during the Stanley Cup Final.  He has been visible, dangerous and engaged in every game.  He has generated 91 shots on goal in these playoffs, and no other forward has more than 70.

Crosby: He’s the Penguins’ driving force. He posted three game-winning goals in the Eastern Conference Finals, and then designed and set-up an overtime game-winner by Conor Sheary in the championship series. He’s been a gritty, effective force at both ends of the ice. He wins critical faceoffs. He’s the captain. The Penguins’ success flows through him.

Murray: What he has accomplished as a rookie goalie is reminiscent of Patrick Roy coming on the scene and leading the Montreal Canadiens to a Stanley Cup in 1986. Murray has a poise and calmness well beyond his years. At 14-5, with a 2.09 goals-against average and .925 save percentage, Murray has the numbers to support his candidacy. The Penguins feed off Murray’s composure.

Nick Bonino:  He’s deserving of consideration for the playoff run he has enjoyed with his 17 points and his solid plus-minus (+9). He’s made himself one of the top five or six players on this impressive Penguins squad.

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