Duncan Keith unanimous choice for Conn Smythe
Three Stanley Cups, two Olympic gold medals, two Norris trophies, and finally: the Conn Smythe trophy.
Keith, 31, capped off his best postseason yet, scoring the Stanley Cup winning goal beating Ben Bishop late in the second period of Game 6, and became the first blue-liner to win the Conn Smythe Trophy since Scott Niedermayer earned the honour in 2007. Keith was tied for third in playoff scoring with 21 points and first among defenceman.
Duncan Keith, who was born in Winnipeg but grew up in Penticton, B.C., averaged over 31 minutes per game in the postseason.
"You don't win a championship without everybody," Keith said. "I know that might sound cliche, but it really is true with hockey. It is an unbelievable team game. We had everyone going from top to bottom and that's what you need."
Many believed Keith was snubbed for the award in favour of teammate Patrick Kane when Chicago won the Stanley Cup in 2013, but this year's unanimous vote left no doubt. Seventeen Conn Smythe votes, all for Keith.
"That guy was unbelievable," goaltender Corey Crawford said. "I don't think I've seen anyone play any better. Whenever we needed a big goal or a big play it seemed like he made it."
Keith played the most minutes of anyone in the postseason and became the fourth player since 1998 to log more than 700 minutes. Drew Doughty (2014), Chris Pronger (2006) and Nicklas Lidstrom (2002) were the others.
"No one more deserving," said teammate Brad Richards. "Right from the first game against Nashville, I saw a different level of hockey that I'm not sure I've ever seen on my team. Just how he kept doing it and never showed any signs of fatigue."
Two of Keith's three playoff goals were series-clinchers, while his other was an overtime winner. Keith's importance throughout the playoffs increased especially when Michal Rozsival fractured his ankle in game four of the second round.
