By no means have the Pittsburgh Penguins locked anything up, but for Game 5 on Thursday night, the Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe Trophy will be in the building.
Pittsburgh is one win away from finishing off the San Jose Sharks for their fourth Cup in franchise history, and since there's two days between games, allow us to speculate.
Here are three candidates who could be named MVP of the playoffs.
Phil Kessel
Last offseason, Kessel was blamed for another tumultuous season for a disastrous franchise in the Toronto Maple Leafs, counting down the minutes until he'd inevitably be traded.
This offseason, there's a strong chance he spends his summer as a champion and Conn Smythe winner. What a difference a year makes.
Simply put, Kessel has been outstanding in the playoffs. He leads the Penguins with 21 points in 22 games. He's formed the league's best third line alongside Nick Bonino and Carl Hagelin and has flat out loved every second of his first run to the Stanley Cup Final.
If he wins, Kessel would become the fifth American to take home the award, joining Brian Leetch, Tim Thomas, Patrick Kane, and Jonathan Quick. Not bad for some one who is uncoachable.
Sidney Crosby
It's pretty much the only thing he hasn't won.
Crosby's total of 17 points isn't particularly overwhelming, but he's silenced critics and has noticeably been the best skater in the Stanley Cup Final.
The 28-year-old has been a force in all facets in the game, and was instrumental in getting the Penguins to this point, scoring three game-winning goals in the conference final versus the Tampa Bay Lightning.
He only has two assists in the final, but his impact off the scoresheet has been greater than anyone's.
Matt Murray
Murray continues to shine.
The 22-year-old was thrust into the spotlight because of an injury to starter Marc-Andre Fleury and has flourished in his first opportunity as a No. 1.
He boasts a 14-5 postseason record, while sporting a 2.09 goals against average and .925 save percentage. He hasn't lost consecutive games in the playoffs.
Only expected to be a placeholder, Murray has made quite a name for himself, and could become only the second rookie goaltender to ever win the Conn Smythe, joining Cam Ward in 2006.
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