After the '04-'05 lockout, several rule changes were made to improve offense in the game. Since then, there have been eight Conn Smythe winners.

2006 Cam Ward
2007 Scott Niedermayer
2008 Henrik Zetterberg
2009 Evgeni Malkin
2010 Jonathan Toews
2011 Tim Thomas
2012 Jonathan Quick
2013 Patrick Kane

Now I realize that Crawford should have won last year, but just looking at Kane's body of work in 2009, 2010 and 2013, I am inclined to say he may be one of the most clutch players on that list, goalies exception of course. First, he won the cup on an OT winner in 2010. In 2009 he took over several games. I haven't seen Toews do that yet in a playoff game. Second, in 2013, he won the Kings series and had several goals in big games, including a few against the Bruins as well as helping on the game tying goal in game 6 of the cup finals. I realize he isn't the best two-way player out there, but my god if he continues like this, I think you have a case to start listing him as one of the best players of his generation.

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Absolutely. He is definitely on pace to be one of the greatest of his generation. There are times when he just flat out takes over a game like last night in OT. He was not going to lose that game.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

1. Crawford should not have won the CS last year. An argument can be made for Keith. Actually an argument can be made for Keith to have 2 Conn Smythes right now.

2. Regarding Toews, I'm sorry you missed game 6 of the 2013 Stanley Cup finals, it was a great game.

3. Obviously I agree about Kaner, he's amazing and has a history of stepping up in just about every big game he's ever played in.

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I agree Kane is great. I wish he could be more consistent, but part of that is just hockey and part of that is his small size. He can really only make things happen with the puck on his stick. Unlike others guys, Hossa and Toews, who can make a splash stealing pucks (Hossa) or in front of the net or at the dot (Toews).

When Kane is hot, he is one of the most entertaining players to watch.

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Hawaii (fuck) You

Um, the Game 7 versus Vancouver Canucks. Toews single handedly put that game into overtime so Campoli could fuck it up.

He's really grown up and matured in his personal life and it really shows on the ice. He seems to mostly care about his game and being great now instead of hooking up with weird skanks and getting naked with John Madden.

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

Another notch on the clutch belt. I won't deny Toews is great in big games, but this is getting to be a thing with Kane.

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Or you just dont here about it.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

or HEAR about it either!

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Proud to be UNVERIFIED.

He leads the league in cabbies punched.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Thanks for stopping by, Ivan

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Proud member of the white guy grievance committee

It aint the six minutes. Its what happens in those six minutes.

I don't know what's more played out, that joke or the obligatory response that" XXX year called and they want their XXX back"

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In fairness, Patrick Kane may still be punching cabbies in the face. We don't know if he is or isn't.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Just give it up dude, its over.

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Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

I don't know, it's still just as funny as it was the first thousand times.

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Yup.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

That's unfair to Toews. It takes the whole game -not just the last goal- to win. Toews might not take over a game offensively as often as Kane does, but he's so consistently great throughout nearly every game, he keeps the Hawks in games they might not otherwise be in. And it's not like he's a slouch offensively either. I love Kaner, but he doesn't have anywhere close to the defensive impact Toews does. And this is an intangible argument, but I think Toews sets the tone for the team. This team never gives up, and I think a lot of that is Toews' leadership by example. He's unnaturally mature and strong-willed. Bottom line, the greatness of both players is why they've won 2 cups and have a good chance at another one.

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You can't see me because of internet.

The landowner effectively owns part shares in millions of part-time slaves called, "taxpayers." -Roy L
A Personal Relationship with Jesus?

Hmm. This isn't going to be popular but this season got me questioning Toews leadership... a bit. This team had quite a bit of don't give a fuck this season and in my personal opinion it showed. Course they're turning it up now, but that earlier don't give a fuck will likely cost them home ice against the Dux if they win tonight.

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

Bear in mind that the end-of-season swoon was largely a result of being without Toews and Kane. They might not have caught the Ducks anyways, but they were still pretty damn good. Aside from those injuries, their biggest problem this year was failure to win in regulation, and poor overtime/shootout results. They didn't outright lose games much with Toews on the ice.

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You can't see me because of internet.

The landowner effectively owns part shares in millions of part-time slaves called, "taxpayers." -Roy L
A Personal Relationship with Jesus?

No, the real swoon was in January, with Toews and Kane both in the lineup. They actually played out the string respectably.

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Nah dude I don't mean the last couple weeks without them I mean the whole damn season, particularly post olympics.

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

Again, they didn't outright lose many games. They didn't play great, sure. But hockey is flukey as fuck. They had a weird penchant for giving up a lead at the end of games, going into overtime, and losing. It is what it is. Still, when it comes to nut-cutting time, this team gets the job done, and I think a lot of that is attributable to Toews. Down 3-1 to Detroit or 2-0 to St. Louis? This team isn't scared, because its captain is a fucking rock. He literally takes it a game at a time, and the team follows his lead.

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You can't see me because of internet.

The landowner effectively owns part shares in millions of part-time slaves called, "taxpayers." -Roy L
A Personal Relationship with Jesus?

Ok. I'm catching what you're slinging.

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

Completely agree. Without Toews I do not think they win last year vs Det or this year vs St Louis.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Plus you cant go pedal to the metal all for all 82 or you don't have much left for the playoffs. Sure there were periods this year where Blackhawks / Toews didn't look good but they're playing for a chance to go for the Cup again, after a long year with short rest plus the stupid fucking Olympics thrown in. Its understandable if they were suffering a little burnout periodically . Dont know if any captain could've done more to keep the team motivated through those periods. I give them a lot of credit for getting to where they are now.Someone still has to beat them 4 of 7 and there are no lockdown muck it up teams left ( maybe the Kings a bit I guess) so its going to favor the Blackhawks style of play from here on in. I like their chances.

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Proud member of the white guy grievance committee

It aint the six minutes. Its what happens in those six minutes.

Dont worry man, I am sure CH will break down how with the teams left there is no way the Hawks are winning the cup this year. Just not their year...

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

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Elections have consequences.

Well nothing is guaranteed and they could very well lose to LA/ Ana or NYR /Mon , a couple pucks don't bounce their way, etc. Someone is going to have to take it from them though, theres not a lot of give up in this team and that is where Toews shines like Matt said.

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Proud member of the white guy grievance committee

It aint the six minutes. Its what happens in those six minutes.