Conn Smythe Trophy goes to veteran Williams
LOS ANGELES — Justin Williams has won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Stanley Cup playoffs MVP after cementing his big- game reputation with a post- season full of clutch play for the Los Angeles Kings.
The veteran forward beat out defenceman Drew Doughty for the honour after the Kings’ 3- 2 double- overtime victory over the New York Rangers in Game 5 on Friday night.
Williams is a three- time Stanley Cup champion, winning it all with Carolina in 2006 and Los Angeles two years ago, and he played his biggest role yet during the Kings’ second championship run.
Williams raised his steady game to brilliant heights in the post- season with nine goals and 16 assists, including the Kings’ first goal early in the clincher.
Williams led all players with seven points in the finals, including a dramatic overtime goal in the series opener last week. He had three assists in the Kings’ double- overtime win in Game 2, and he added another assist in Game 3.
And before the Cup finals, Williams also reminded the hockey world why he’s called Mr. Game 7.
He had two goals and three assists in the Kings’ three Game 7 victories during their resilient playoff run, including timely goals against Anaheim and Chicago. Williams also had a pair of two- goal games when the Kings faced elimination in the first round against San Jose, becoming the fourth team in NHL history to rally from a 3- 0 series deficit.
Williams is 7- 0 with seven goals and an NHL- record 14 points in Game 7s in his career.