Conn Smythe Power Rankings: Holtby imperatively brilliant in Round 1

The Conn Smythe Trophy for the league's postseason MVP remains almost exclusively reserved for a Stanley Cup champion. So, with just one round in the books, we acknowledge that it's far too soon to really consider anyone for the career-defining honor.

But of course, that hasn't stopped us from ranking individual performances with antecedent information we've gained from series to series before.

So, back for another spring, it's theScore's Conn Smythe Power Rankings:

1) Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals

The greatness not necessarily required throughout the regular season was from the Vezina Trophy front-runner in Round 1.

Holtby posted a .968 save clip and 0.84 goals-against average, and allowed five goals with two recorded shutouts for the Capitals (he had three in the regular season) in their six-game triumph over the Flyers, helping them avoid a potentially calamitous collapse after their offense ran dry.

Washington scored six times at even strength in the series, and only twice in its three elimination tries, and will move onward having scored 14 goals (tied for the fewest among advancing teams) - a total a touch inflated by its garbage-time outburst in Game 3.

2) John Tavares, New York Islanders

Tavares was, more than any other skater, absolutely essential for his team's advancement.

The Islanders captain scored five times, totaling nine points, in the club's six-game series with the Panthers. He scored in the final minute to tie, and again in his 32nd minute of their double-overtime eliminator, almost single-handedly lifting the franchise to its first series win in 23 seasons.

He's since taken the lead in postseason scoring with 11 points after netting a goal and assist in Game 1 versus the Lightning.

3) Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars

The NHL's most consistent scorer, well, consistently scored in Round 1. Benn compiled four goals, six assists, and a league-best 10 points as the Stars vanquished Minnesota in six games.

Most impressively, his dominance was most prevalent at even strength. He earned a league-best eight points at five-on-five, contributing on half the team's total production in that scenario.

4) Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning

Stepping into Steven Stamkos' shoes as the Lightning's specialized sniper, Kucherov provided virtually all the offense Tampa Bay needed to slip past the Red Wings for a second straight spring.

Kucherov was one of just two players to score goals at a per-game rate in Round 1, scoring five times on 15 shots. He was in on 75 percent of the team's total offense, assisting three times.

5) Brent Burns, San Jose Sharks

The lone defender to produce better than a point per game, Burns tallied twice and collected eight points as the Sharks swiftly broke down the best statistically defensive team in the West.

To that, he was miles ahead of Drew Doughty in the series, a showcase that might give pause to Norris Trophy voters. Or not.

Of note

Sidney Crosby - Eight points and the driving force behind a power play that fired at a 38 percent clip.

Alex Pietrangelo - A rock on the back end for St. Louis, he took almost 214 minutes in seven games versus the Blackhawks, adding six points. How did his own general manager leave him off Team Canada again?

Joe Pavelski - The only other per-game goal-scorer in these playoffs, how quickly the Sharks did away with Los Angeles might be the only thing holding him back.

Pekka Rinne - Rinne did everything to rid himself of his haunting season in goal for the Predators by stealing Game 7 with 36 saves in Anaheim.

Canucks World