The Washington Capitals are the 2017-18 Stanley Cup champions, but that wasn’t the only trophy awarded on the ice for their historic win. There was the little matter of who would receive the Conn Smythe Trophy as the 2017-18 Stanley Cup playoffs MVP.
Though a strong case could be, and was, made for Evgeny Kuznetsov, realistically there was no other choice but to award it to Alex Ovechkin.
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Over the course of the playoffs, Alex Ovechkin tallied 15 goals — tying Sidney Crosby’s record from the 2009 postseason — and 12 assists. One of those goals came during their crucial Game Five win.
But, more than that, Ovechkin has been a crucial part of pulling this Washington Capitals team together. From his assertion that they were “not going to be suck this year,” to openly celebrating and supporting his teammates throughout their Cup run, it couldn’t have gone to anyone else.
Ovechkin becomes just the fourth player in NHL history to recieve three or more Hart trophies (awarded to the regular-season MVP) as well as a Conn Smythe.
He’s also the second Russian-born player to ever win it. Evgeni Malkin was the other (2009).
Alex Ovechkin is the second Russian-born player in NHL history to earn the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to the most valuable player to his team in the playoffs. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/Ct7cB8FLdT
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 8, 2018
Though we all know which trophy Ovechkin was eagerly anticipating lifting over his head.
"this is not the stanley cup, take it" pic.twitter.com/5twGNquYNW
— Cristiano Simonetta (@CMS_74_) June 8, 2018
