Evan Bouchard, Edmonton Oilers
When you accomplish something that Bobby Orr, Paul Coffey, Nicklas Lidstrom, Ray Bourque or any other defenseman in NHL history has never done, well, what more evidence do you need to make your case for NHL playoff MVP? the Stanley Cup in the middle of the tournament? Consider this: Bouchard is the first defenseman to record 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) in the first two rounds of the postseason. And it’s not just about the statistics; They are the key moments in which they have occurred to them. Bouchard scored the only goal in Edmonton’s 1-0 win against the Los Angeles Kings in Game 4 of the Western Conference First Round, then had three assists in the series-clinching 4-3 win in Game 5. In the Western Conference Second Round against the Vancouver Canucks, he scored the overtime winning goal in Edmonton’s 4-3 win in Game 2, scored the last-minute game-winning goal in Edmonton’s victory. Edmonton 3-2 in Game 4, and then had a pair of assists in the 3-2 win that clinched the series. in Game 7. Case closed. — Mike Zeisberger, editor
Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers center is a proven postseason player and he’s doing it again in this one. He leads all NHL playoff scorers with 24 points (eight goals, 16 assists) in 12 games. Draisaitl has at least one point in every playoff game this season, extending his streak to 12 games with an assist in a 3-2 win in Game 7 of the second round against the Canucks. Draisaitl’s streak is the third-longest in Oilers history behind Wayne Gretzky (16 in 1988) and Mark Messier (13 in 1985 and 14 in 1988). Draisaitl has 101 points (39 goals, 62 assists) in 61 playoff games and is the third-fastest player to reach 100 playoff points (60 games) behind Gretzky (46 games) and Mario Lemieux (50 games), which It’s a pretty impressive company. –Derek Van Diest, Staff Writer
Miro Heiskanen, Dallas Stars
The defenseman leads the Stars with 13 points (five goals, eight assists) in 13 games and averages 28:01 of ice time. That’s the most in the Stanley Cup Playoffs among skaters who have played more than four games. The Stars have relied primarily on five defensemen in the playoffs, and Heiskanen is a big reason they’ve been able to have their way against the last two Stanley Cup champions, defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in seven games in the First Western Conference. Round and the Colorado Avalanche in six in the second. Heiskanen led Dallas with eight points (four goals, four assists) in six games against Colorado. Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, a 2022 Conn Smythe winner, scored six points (three goals, three assists). — Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist
Wyatt Johnston, Dallas Stars
Even goals, power play goals, a shorthanded goal, game-winning goals in regulation and a goal in overtime: Johnston has checked all the scoring boxes through the first two rounds of the playoffs. The forward, who turned 21 on May 14, has 11 points (seven goals, four assists) in 13 games, third among the Stars behind Heiskanen and forward Jason Robertson with (12 points, three goals, nine assists). He’s been an exceptional postseason performer for a forward of any age, let alone someone in the early years of his NHL career. Johnston has played like a veteran and has been a key piece on a deep Dallas team. — Tracey Myers, Staff Writer
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