The Conn Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP was Alex Ovechkin's to lose.
After leading all players in postseason goals, the Washington Capitals captain received 13 of a possible 18 first-place votes, the Professional Hockey Writers Association revealed Tuesday.
Ovechkin's linemate and the playoffs' leading point producer, Evgeny Kuznetsov, received the other five first-place votes and 13 second-place votes.
Goaltender Braden Holtby was the consensus third-place choice, receiving 16 votes.
In a somewhat surprising development, Golden Knights netminder Marc-Andre Fleury received two third-place votes, despite posting an .853 save percentage in the Stanley Cup Final.
