Vasilevskiy wins Conn Smythe Trophy as NHL playoff MVP

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP after backstopping the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Stanley Cup for a second consecutive year. Vasilevskiy was undefeated after losses and had a shutout in all four series clinchers. Vasilevskiy has grown into one of the best goalies in the world since he was thrust into the Cup final as a rookie in 2015. The 26-year-old Russian is now Tampa Bay’s most important player. He dominated the matchup against Montreal’s Carey Price in the final. The result is another championship made possible by Vasilevskiy.