The Stanley Cup Final is upon us.

With that, the field of players - not only vying for a drink from Lord Stanley, but also to lift the Conn Smythe Trophy - has been narrowed.

Here are the five most worthy candidates to take home postseason MVP honors heading into the Stanley Cup Final Monday night in Pittsburgh:

1) Joe Pavelski, Sharks

What more could be asked of Joe Pavelski that he hasn't already done in his first season as the club's new captain?

The 31-year-old paces the league with the 13 goals in 18 games with four coming in the form of game-winners - also a playoff best. He has been instrumental in helping the Sharks boast one of the deadliest power plays in the playoffs with five power-play goals and nine points with the extra man.

As Pavelski enters the final round of the playoffs he brings with him a seven-game point streak - having collected at least one point in every game of the third round - and a four-game goal streak. Meanwhile he has been held off the scoreboard just four times during the postseason.

2) Logan Couture, Sharks

While Pavelski's name has come up the most in the goals column, Logan Couture has his name on almost every playoff scoresheet.

After three rounds Couture leads all playoff performers with 16 assists and 24 points. He has already amassed more points than Patrick Kane and Tyler Johnson did last year, who led the playoffs with 23 points.

With a few more productive games, Couture could amass one of the most stellar playoff performances of the last 20 years, an honor most certainly worthy of playoff MVP status.

3) Phil Kessel, Penguins

Phil Kessel has been one hot dog.

The Penguins forward has continued his career narrative, once again elevating his play in the postseason. His nine goals and nine assists in 18 games see him leading the march of the Penguins toward their first Cup since 2009.

In classic Kessel fashion, he also leads all players with 73 shots and all while occupying the team's third line with Carl Hagelin and Nick Bonino - forming the now famous, "HBK" line.

A World Cup of Hockey omission could be the last thing on his mind with a possible Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe on his mantle.

4) Brent Burns, Sharks

Brent Burns went fairly uncontested for the title of best defenseman this postseason, after capturing a Norris Trophy nomination for his regular-season display.

His 20 points in 18 games help cap off a Sharks sweep atop the playoff scoring leaderboard, as he sits third behind Couture and Pavelski. Burns has been a constant threat all postseason from the back end, with his deadly wrister that seems able to get through any traffic with ease.

His offense has helped make the Sharks an offensive juggernaut at all positions, and he could be a difference maker heading into the final round.

5) Matt Murray, Penguins

It's no question that the Penguins wouldn't be where they are if not for Matt Murray's coming-out party.

The 22-year-old has shined in his first taste of NHL playoff hockey, posting a .924 save percentage, a 2.22 goals-against average, and one shutout in 15 games.

After a shaky Game 4 in the Conference Final, the youngster gave way for veteran Marc-Andre Fleury's first and only start of the playoffs in Game 5.

Regaining his confidence, Murray returned to the net facing elimination in Games 6 and 7. There he cashed in two clutch performances, giving up just three goals in two games and a .937 save percentage, helping his team oust the reigning Eastern Conference champs.

In the running

Sidney Crosby

Crosby appeared to rekindle his knack for the dramatic after a quiet second-round against the Washington Capitals. He collected five points, including three game-winning goals, against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

He now shares the second spot alongside Evgeni Malkin and Nick Bonino in team scoring.

Joe Thornton

It is no accident that Joe Thornton will finally get a chance to play for his first Stanley Cup. He has continued to do his thing this postseason with 15 assists and 18 points in 18 games.

Jumbo Joe only has one trophy on his mind, but winning a Conn Smythe is definitely not out of the question.

Martin Jones

While Matt Murray is garnering most of the goalie discussion, Jones has also thrived in his first true playoff test. His 12 wins this postseason are a franchise best in a single playoff season, while his three shutouts match Evgeni Nabokov for the franchise record.

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The Stanley Cup Final is upon us.

With that, the field of players - not only vying for a drink from Lord Stanley, but also to lift the Conn Smythe Trophy - has been narrowed.

Here are the five most worthy candidates to take home postseason MVP honors heading into the Stanley Cup Final Monday night in Pittsburgh:

1) Joe Pavelski, Sharks

What more could be asked of Joe Pavelski that he hasn't already done in his first season as the club's new captain?

The 31-year-old paces the league with the 13 goals in 18 games with four coming in the form of game-winners - also a playoff best. He has been instrumental in helping the Sharks boast one of the deadliest power plays in the playoffs with five power-play goals and nine points with the extra man.

As Pavelski enters the final round of the playoffs he brings with him a seven-game point streak - having collected at least one point in every game of the third round - and a four-game goal streak. Meanwhile he has been held off the scoreboard just four times during the postseason.

2) Logan Couture, Sharks

While Pavelski's name has come up the most in the goals column, Logan Couture has his name on almost every playoff scoresheet.

After three rounds Couture leads all playoff performers with 16 assists and 24 points. He has already amassed more points than Patrick Kane and Tyler Johnson did last year, who led the playoffs with 23 points.

With a few more productive games, Couture could amass one of the most stellar playoff performances of the last 20 years, an honor most certainly worthy of playoff MVP status.

3) Phil Kessel, Penguins

Phil Kessel has been one hot dog.

The Penguins forward has continued his career narrative, once again elevating his play in the postseason. His nine goals and nine assists in 18 games see him leading the march of the Penguins toward their first Cup since 2009.

In classic Kessel fashion, he also leads all players with 73 shots and all while occupying the team's third line with Carl Hagelin and Nick Bonino - forming the now famous, "HBK" line.

A World Cup of Hockey omission could be the last thing on his mind with a possible Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe on his mantle.

4) Brent Burns, Sharks

Brent Burns went fairly uncontested for the title of best defenseman this postseason, after capturing a Norris Trophy nomination for his regular-season display.

His 20 points in 18 games help cap off a Sharks sweep atop the playoff scoring leaderboard, as he sits third behind Couture and Pavelski. Burns has been a constant threat all postseason from the back end, with his deadly wrister that seems able to get through any traffic with ease.

His offense has helped make the Sharks an offensive juggernaut at all positions, and he could be a difference maker heading into the final round.

5) Matt Murray, Penguins

It's no question that the Penguins wouldn't be where they are if not for Matt Murray's coming-out party.

The 22-year-old has shined in his first taste of NHL playoff hockey, posting a .924 save percentage, a 2.22 goals-against average, and one shutout in 15 games.

After a shaky Game 4 in the Conference Final, the youngster gave way for veteran Marc-Andre Fleury's first and only start of the playoffs in Game 5.

Regaining his confidence, Murray returned to the net facing elimination in Games 6 and 7. There he cashed in two clutch performances, giving up just three goals in two games and a .937 save percentage, helping his team oust the reigning Eastern Conference champs.

In the running

Sidney Crosby

Crosby appeared to rekindle his knack for the dramatic after a quiet second-round against the Washington Capitals. He collected five points, including three game-winning goals, against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

He now shares the second spot alongside Evgeni Malkin and Nick Bonino in team scoring.

Joe Thornton

It is no accident that Joe Thornton will finally get a chance to play for his first Stanley Cup. He has continued to do his thing this postseason with 15 assists and 18 points in 18 games.

Jumbo Joe only has one trophy on his mind, but winning a Conn Smythe is definitely not out of the question.

Martin Jones

While Matt Murray is garnering most of the goalie discussion, Jones has also thrived in his first true playoff test. His 12 wins this postseason are a franchise best in a single playoff season, while his three shutouts match Evgeni Nabokov for the franchise record.

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Two teams, one stunning trophy.

The Stanley Cup Final between the Pittsburgh Penguins and San Jose Sharks begins Monday night in Pennsylvania. Here are five surefire predictions for what will be a very entertaining series.

Sharks in 6

The Sharks will emerge victorious in what will be a tight six-game affair, winning the Stanley Cup in San Jose. How's that for exorcising a generation's worth of demons?

There's more. Four of the six games will be decided by one goal, and we're in for at least two overtime contests.

Joe Thornton - and his beard - will raise the Stanley Cup. He'll get it second, after captain Joe Pavelski lifts it toward the heavens. Then Patrick Marleau. And Brent Burns. Yes, in that precise order.

Fleury will start at least 1 game

Matt Murray's been incredible, and his story is sensational, but the Penguins will turn to Marc-Andre Fleury in the crease at least once in the final.

It won't be because Murray's playing poorly. Think back to the third-round series between the Sharks and St. Louis Blues. After being shut out in Game 2 and 3, Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock started Jake Allen in Game 4 over Brian Elliott - and it worked. The Blues responded, scoring six goals. They scored a combined seven in the series' other five games.

The Sharks are going to frustrate the Penguins much like they did the Blues, and Pittsburgh head coach Mike Sullivan will be forced to play one of his few remaining hands - the desperation goalie change.

Burns will win the Conn Smythe

The Sharks have been paced by Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski so far in the postseason. Couture leads the NHL with 24 playoff points, while Pavelski is second with 22. But it'll be Burns who will lead both teams in Cup Final scoring, and he'll win the Conn Smythe Trophy in the process.

Burns has been electric through three rounds, his 18 points third in the league behind his teammates. But The Most Interesting Man in Hockey is about to hit another gear.

Malkin will explode

Evgeni Malkin has 15 points in 17 spring games, but only four goals. He's going to score at least that many in the Cup Final.

Geno scored only once in six games in the second round, and only once in seven games against Tampa Bay. He put 17 pucks on net against the Washington Capitals, and had 27 shots against the Lightning.

Malkin's shooting 7.4 percent in the postseason. That's going to change in a big way over the next two weeks.

You will be entertained

These are two excellent teams. There are marquee players up and down both rosters. It's going to be one hell of a series. The pace will be high. Both teams can skate. The speed will blow you away.

Everywhere you look, there's a storyline. Marc-Edouard Vlasic shut down Vladimir Tarasenko; can he do the same to Sidney Crosby? Can Justin Schultz actually contribute to a Cup-winning defense corps? Will Martin Jones ever begin playing like a first-year No. 1 goalie who made his first career playoff start a few weeks ago? Will an egregious World Cup snub motivate Phil Kessel? Will Matt Cullen, who's played 100 games this season, eventually look like a 39-year-old out there?

Bottom line: We're in store for one of the more entertaining Stanley Cup Final series in recent memory. You're not going to want to miss it.

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Everybody knows Sharks weigh more than Penguins.

As the Pittsburgh Penguins and San Jose Sharks get set to do battle in this year's Stanley Cup Final - with the Sharks in pursuit of their first ever Cup and the Penguins in search of their first since 2009 - one thing is evident, the Sharks are bigger, heavier, and more experienced than their counterparts.

The Penguins however, have the luxury of having been to the Stanley Cup Finals twice since 2008, while the Sharks enter the final round of the postseason for their first time in franchise history.

With that said, David and Goliath will get their first look at one another when Game 1 goes down Monday night in Pittsburgh.

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Willie O'Ree was a pioneer, and Joel Ward believes it's time for him to be honored appropriately.

O'Ree was the first black player in the NHL. He made his debut in 1958, playing two games as a call-up for the Boston Bruins. He scored four goals and added 10 assists in 43 games with the Bruins during the 1960-61 season.

Ward, a San Jose Sharks forward, believes it's time the NHL discussed retiring O'Ree's No. 22, writes ESPN's Joe McDonald, much like Major League Baseball did with Jackie Robinson's No. 42.

"That's something to definitely talk about for sure," Ward said. "It would be great if they did. Obviously that's something that would be a great discussion about. With the amount of respect Willie has around the league, it would definitely be something special if that did come up.

"I definitely think Willie should be recognized for sure. The league obviously does that with a task force, but I do think that Willie should definitely be a big part of the league for sure for what he did. It's a no-brainer. Without Willie, it would be tough for me to be sitting here today. I definitely think Willie should be a big part of this."

Ward wears No. 42 to honor Robinson, the first black player in MLB history. In 1997, MLB retired Robinson's number, and the league celebrates his legacy each season on Jackie Robinson Day, every April 15.

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Keith Tkachuk knows a thing or two about scoring big goals.

The former NHLer was in attendance Sunday to watch his son score twice in the Memorial Cup final, including the game-winner in overtime for the London Knights. The two embraced on the ice after the game, resulting in a whole lot of feelings.

Matthew, who culminated his final season before going pro in the best possible way, told NHL.com's Aaron Vickers that he was playing on a sprained ankle since the OHL final.

"You can't give up on guys that battle all year for you," Matthew said.

Like father, like son.

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The London Knights did it in style.

Matthew Tkachuk scored the Memorial Cup-winning goal in overtime against the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies on Sunday.

The winner was Tkachuk's second goal of the game and fifth of the week. He opened the scoring in the first period.

The Knights trailed 2-1 late in the third period, before Christian Dvorak tied up the game with 4:11 left to play, setting up Tkachuk's heroics. The win was London's 17th in a row.

Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Mitch Marner was named tournament MVP.

Tkachuk - a Scottsdale, Ariz., native and the son of former NHLer Keith Tkachuk - had 30 goals and 107 points in 57 games during the regular season, and 40 points in 20 playoff games before the Memorial Cup. He's expected to be selected in the top five at this summer's NHL entry draft.

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Canada's team is no more.

The Toronto Marlies' dominant season ended in the most disappointing fashion Sunday, as the AHL club was eliminated by the Hershey Bears - the Washington Capitals' affiliate - in Game 5 by a 3-2 score.

The Marlies fell behind 3-0 and although they made a game of it, couldn't find the tying goal to keep their season alive. The Bears will face the Lake Erie Monsters - the Columbus Blue Jackets' affiliate - in the Calder Cup Finals.

The Marlies were a force all season, finishing as the league's best team with a 54-16-5-1 record. The playoffs, though, were a different story, as the baby Maple Leafs lost seven of 15 games.

Toronto's goaltending was its downfall in the postseason. Antoine Bibeau struggled again in Game 5, stopping only 17 of 20 shots. He ends the postseason with a .900 save percentage and 2.73 goals-against average in 12 games.

The Bears, meanwhile, are headed to their 23rd Calder Cup Finals, and fifth in 11 seasons since linking with the Capitals.

Justin Peters was the opposite of Bibeau in the crease for Hershey. He'll play for the AHL's ultimate prize with a .929 save percentage and two shutouts this spring.

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