(Photo: Conn Smythe Trophy/NHL)
In the annals of NHL history, there exists a unique club of players who have achieved a rare feat: winning the Conn Smythe Trophy while playing on a losing team in the Stanley Cup Final. The latest entrant to this exclusive club is none other than Connor McDavid, who achieved this distinction after the Edmonton Oilers lost 2-1 in Game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers.
(Photo: Connor McDavid/Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Connor McDavid
Despite the Edmonton Oilers’ loss in the Stanley Cup Final, McDavid’s historic postseason performance, which included breaking Wayne Gretzky’s playoff assist record, earned him the Conn Smythe Trophy. He finished the playoffs with 42 points, making him the sixth player in NHL history to win the Conn Smythe Trophy on a losing team.
The Other Five
Before McDavid, only five other players had achieved this feat. Let’s take a look at these players and their remarkable playoff performances.
Roger Crozier
Roger Crozier, the goaltender for the Detroit Red Wings, was the first player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy on a losing team. Despite his team’s loss in the 1966 Stanley Cup Final, Crozier’s exceptional performance earned him the Conn Smythe Trophy. In the 1966 playoffs, Crozier had a 6-5-0 record in 12 games with a goals against average of 2.34 and a save percentage of .914.
(Photo: Roger Crozier 1966 Stanley Cup Final/Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Glenn Hall
Next up is Glenn Hall, who won the award in 1968. Even though his team, the St. Louis Blues, lost the final, Hall’s remarkable play was recognized with the Conn Smythe Trophy. Hall had a record of 49-65-0 in 115 games with a goals against average of 2.79 and a save percentage of .911 in the playoffs in his career.
(Photo: Roger Crozier and Conn Smythe 1968)
Reggie Leach
In 1976, Reggie Leach of the Philadelphia Flyers became the first skater and third player overall to win the Conn Smythe Trophy on a losing team. Leach scored 19 goals in 16 playoff games, earning him the Conn Smythe Trophy.
(Photo: Ken Dryden and Reggie Leach 1976 Stanley Cup Final/Dennis Brodeur/NHLI via Getty Images)
Ron Hextall
Fast forward to 1987, and we find Ron Hextall, another Philadelphia Flyer, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy despite his team’s loss in the final. Hextall was 3-7-0 in 10 games with a goals against average of 3.37 and a save percentage of .891 in the Stanley Cup Finals in his career.
(Photo: Ron Hextall winning Conn Smythe Trophy 1987/Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
J.S. Giguere
The most recent player before McDavid to achieve this feat was J.S. Giguere of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in 2003. Giguère finished the playoffs with a 15–6 record overall, a 1.62 GAA and .945 save percentage.
(Photo: NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and J.S. Giguere/Rusty Kennedy/AP Photo)
These six players remind us that individual brilliance can shine, even in defeat. They have left their mark on the game and continue to inspire future generations of hockey players. Their achievements underscore the fact that while hockey is a team sport, individual performances can still stand out and be recognized, even when the ultimate team prize eludes them.
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