Sidney Crosby has cemented his place among the NHL’s greats by winning the Conn Smythe Trophy for the playoffs’ most valuable player in consecutive years, 2016 and 2017. The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually to the player deemed most essential to his team during the Stanley Cup playoffs, highlighting Crosby’s key role in leading the Pittsburgh Penguins to back-to-back championships.

Notable Players with Consecutive Conn Smythe Wins

Since the Conn Smythe Trophy’s inception in 1965, only a few players have managed to secure this honor in back-to-back seasons. The first to achieve this feat was Bernie Parent, the dominant goalie of the 1970s Philadelphia Flyers, often referred to as the Broad Street Bullies. Parent powered his team to consecutive Stanley Cup victories in 1974 and 1975, recording impressive statistics including a goals-against average (GAA) of 2.02 and a save percentage (SV%) of .933 in 1974, followed by an even stronger 1.89 GAA and .924 SV% in 1975. Despite reaching the Cup Final a third time in 1976, Parent and the Flyers fell short against the Montreal Canadiens.

Mario Lemieux, an iconic forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins, later joined this exclusive group by securing the Conn Smythe in both 1991 and 1992. His remarkable playoff runs remain legendary, especially his memorable goal that helped clinch the ’91 Stanley Cup against the Minnesota North Stars. Across 23 playoff games in 1991, Lemieux tallied 16 goals and a total of 44 points, followed by 15 goals and 34 points in just 15 games the next year, as the Penguins defeated the Chicago Blackhawks in the final series.

Sidney Crosby’s Impactful Playoff MVP Performances

More than 20 years after Lemieux, Sidney Crosby matched this rare achievement by leading the Penguins to consecutive Stanley Cup titles in 2016 and 2017. In the 2016 playoffs, Crosby was instrumental in overcoming a tough San Jose Sharks team, contributing six goals and 19 points over 24 games. He elevated his game even further in 2017, scoring eight goals alongside 19 points during another 24-game playoff run to secure his second Conn Smythe Trophy. This marked Crosby’s third Stanley Cup championship, while the 2009 Conn Smythe had been awarded to his teammate and close friend Evgeni Malkin.

Future Aspirations for Back-to-Back Conn Smythe Recognition

Looking ahead, Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers aims to join the league’s elite by attempting to win consecutive Conn Smythe Trophies as he leads the Oilers toward their first Stanley Cup in over thirty years. McDavid’s pursuit adds an exciting prospect to the legacy of those who have achieved this prestigious feat, underscoring the significance of the award in recognizing players who profoundly influence the playoffs.