2011 NHL Playoffs: Candidates for MVP in the Vancouver Canucks and San Jose Sharks Conference Series
The National Hockey League (NHL) Playoff Western Conference Finals between the Vancouver Canucks and San Jose Sharks was probably one of the most shocking and thrilling series of this year’s postseason so far.
A team like San Jose Sharks was unable to bounce back after winning only a game as they lost the series against Vancouver, 4-1, and were eliminated from the conference finals for the second time in a row.
During the five-game series, there were a number of players who popped up with their brilliance and led their teams.
If there was a Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in every series than the players we are about to discuss would certainly be the front runners for the prize.
These players might not have been given the full recognition they deserve for their performances during the series, but mentioning them here will at least give credit to their names, something which is better than nothing.
The MVP’s of the Western Conference Finals should be:
The Sedin twins, Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin (Vancouver Canucks)
The Sedin twins are equally great players in their own respect so separating them in this sense would just not be right. Both brothers led the NHL during the regular season in scoring and assisting and have been a major attacking force throughout the postseason
as well.
Henrik Sedin currently leads in the playoffs with 19 assists and two goals for a total of 21 points in the past three series which is a monumental record. Henrik opens up the opportunities for fellow teammates while Daniel scores on them.
If there was to be a tie-breaker between the two brothers than Henrik Sedin would emerge as the MVP due to his exceptional performance during the conference finals series. He picked up 12 points in six games against Sharks which ultimately was the reason
for Canucks’ victory.
Ryan Kesler (Vancouver Canucks)
Vancouver’s American All-Star player, Ryan Kesler, has been a dominating force for his team throughout the whole season and the playoffs.
His sudden spark is the reason why Vancouver has been able to pull through since the Sedins were slacking in the first two series.
Kesler has 18 points in 18 games which is evidence of his consistency. He has scored game-winning goals twice and redirected San Jose Sharks from winning game five after he made the tying goal and forced an uncertain overtime which they won.
Patrick Marleau (San Jose Sharks)
San Jose Sharks has a number of players who are offensively great, but many of them are inconsistent which makes them useless in crucial situations.
Patrick Marleau was relatively the most consistent player for Sharks in the five-game series against Vancouver.
He scored five goals and picked up a couple of assists in the five matches of the series and a total of 14 points in 18 games during the playoffs.
Marleau was the Kesler for San Jose, but Sharks just wasn’t able to take full advantage of him because there is only so much a single player can do on ice.
Most readers might be thinking that San Jose should deserve another spot on this list, but frankly speaking, Sharks just right down failed in this series.
It was great in the previous two series against Los Angeles Kings and Detroit Red Wings but when it came to the Western Conference Finals, it lost its momentum which was the reason for its defeat.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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