Conn Smythe Race Tightens Before The Cup Final

The Conn Smythe conversation is already heating up before the Stanley Cup Final even begins. That tells you how much individual performance can swing the narrative once the games get meaningful and every shift gets replayed to death. The top candidates usually separate themselves fast, but the playoffs have a habit of making experts eat a little paper. This race matters because the trophy often goes to the player who takes over when the spotlight gets brightest.