The NHL announced the winners of the individual awards on Saturday night. There were a couple of surprises among the winners, but all were very deserving of the recognition. There is only one individual award to be determined, the Conn Smythe, awarded to the most valuable player of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The field of NHL players, and Conn Smythe candidates,  has been whittled down to the final two teams competing for the Stanley Cup. There have been some outstanding performances by players who have since been eliminated, but the playoff MVP has always been awarded to a player who competed in the Final.

There is certainly no shortage of qualified candidates who could consider themselves deserving of the postseason accolade. To get within three wins of the hallowed hockey chalice has required an extraordinary effort from some elite players. With the Stanley Cup now a best of five series, expect some more stellar play from these five players.

5. Nathan Horton, RW, Boston Bruins

The second leading scorer in the NHL playoffs also leads the league with three game winning goals. Nathan Horton survived a Game 1 scare and returned to Game 2, playing 21:29 minutes in the overtime win. Horton’s stick seems to have a little bit of magic this year and another game winner or two would launch him to the top of every list.

4. Patrick Sharp, RW, Chicago Blackhawks

Not that being the high scorer on the winning team gives you the inside track for Conn Smythe voting, but it is certainly among the criteria. Sharp scored the lone Chicago goal in Game 2, and has consistently been the most dangerous Chicago forward in the first two games. Sharp is tied with David Krejci for the lead in goals(9) and is matched with Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa for the team lead in points (15).

3. David Krejci,  C, Boston Bruins

When the rest of the Boston offense seems out of sync, David Krejci has helped provide a spark. He set up the first two goals in Game 1 and is currently leading the NHL playoffs in goals(9), assists(14) and points(23). He has been particularly tough in the faceoff circle and has made the Bruins second line their most productive in the playoffs.

2. Corey Crawford,G, Chicago Blackhawks

If the Blackhawks happen to beat the Bruins for the Stanley Cup, it will be largely due to Corey Crawford stealing games for the Hawks. To put things in perspective, Crawford will have beaten head to head: Josh Harding (meh), Jimmy Howard (impressive), Jonathan Quick (wow) and Tuukka Rask (wow, again). Obviously it isn’t goalie versus goalie, but in the tight checking, low scoring playoffs, the best goalie is an ace in the hole.

1.Tuukka Rask, G, Boston Bruins

Just as Crawford would be deserving for Chicago, Rask has to be considered the favorite for Boston if they win the cup. His singular effort against Pittsburgh in the conference finals is probably enough for most of the voting writers. Unless he completely falls apart and Boston outscores Chicago (highly unlikely), Rask will be the one enjoying the individual hardware as the playoff MVP.