Boston Bruins: Brad Marchand a dark horse for the Conn Smythe Trophy

Looking at his record thus far this post-season for the Boston Bruins, you’d have to put Brad Marchand down as a contender for the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Regardless of this coming Stanley Cup Final series and it’s outcome, Brad Marchand has been a dominant player for the Boston Bruins and deserves far more of a mention when we talk Conn Smythe candidates. However, the form of Tuukka Rask is keeping Marchand very much as a dark horse for the award.

That, in itself, is a little bit unfair on the player. He is the only player remaining in the playoffs that is scoring at a pace of more than a goal-per-game; in fact, he ranks second of any player in post-season scoring, behind only, recently eliminated, Logan Couture of the San Jose Sharks.

In any normal playoff season, you’d be hearing his name mentioned far louder in the conversation, but this year is turning out to be one where the focus seems to like squarely on the goaltending. The likes of Tuukka Rask and one-time Providence Bruin, Jordan Binnington in the St. Louis net, are claiming all the plaudits and hype for the Conn Smythe.

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It’s always remarkable that Brad Marchand actually features on a line that is adept at scoring, as it is playing as a shutdown line. Alongside David Pastrnak and Patrice Bergeron, he has done everything expected of him, proving himself a pest to the opposition in terms of both scoring and generally getting under their skin, as always.

His performances when the Boston Bruins have had their backs to the wall are the main reason he deserves more recognition when it comes to the Conn Smythe.

In Game 6 of the first round series with the Toronto Maple Leafs, he took the fact the Boston Bruins were facing elimination on his back and busted out a two goal, three point night. That marked his second three point night of the series, both in Toronto funnily enough.

Likewise, in the series with the Columbus Blue Jackets, he showed that he seems to thrive on his opposition’s ice, netting a goal and two assists ensuring another three point night.

His scoring has come in little bunches throughout the post-season, no scoring streak has lasted more than two games, yet somehow he still balances out to average more than a point-per-game so far.

Heading into the Stanley Cup Final against the St. Louis Blues, Brad Marchand has the definite advantage of experience on the biggest stage. He’s shown that he can score the points when it counts already this post-season; the Boston Bruins will be hoping he can do it again.

If he can continue his current form, there really is no reason his name shouldn’t be spoken a little bit louder in Conn Smythe conversations.