Cardiac Cane
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Carolina Hurricanes: Top 5 Conn Smythe Candidates

By Matthew Nidiffer

RALEIGH, NC - MAY 01: Carolina Hurricanes right wing Justin Williams (14) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning goal during a game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Islanders on May 1, 2019 at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - MAY 01: Carolina Hurricanes right wing Justin Williams (14) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning goal during a game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Islanders on May 1, 2019 at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NC – MAY 03: Jordan Martinook #48 of the Carolina Hurricanes and teammate Patrick Brown #36 celebrate following a victory over the New York Islanders in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 3, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – MAY 03: Jordan Martinook #48 of the Carolina Hurricanes and teammate Patrick Brown #36 celebrate following a victory over the New York Islanders in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 3, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Honorable Mentions

As I’ve said before, in this article and many others, every single player on this team has contributed to the Hurricanes’ current success. There have, however, been quite a few standouts that may not be considered a Conn Smythe finalist, but deserve recognition nonetheless.

Jordan Martinook is the first of these individuals. Similar to Justin Williams, Jordan Martinook has brought a whole new level of energy to the Carolina Hurricanes. Martinook has been dubbed a ‘glue guy’ by head coach Rod Brind’amour, and I couldn’t agree more. Jordan Martinook is beloved by both the fans and his teammates, and I personally am excited that Waddell has managed to sign him for another 2 years.

The next honorable mention goes to both Petr Mrazek and Curtis McElhinney. A huge reason why the Hurricanes have missed the playoffs in seasons past has been the lack of solid, consistent goaltending.

Mrazek and McElhinney have both delivered and provided the Hurricanes with the confidence to play their game without worrying about the net. Both goalies have been phenomenal this season and in the postseason, and it would be an absolute crime to leave them out of this article.

The final honorable mention has to go to Brock McGinn. His postseason heroics in Game 7 against the Washington Capitals have more than earned him a spot in this list. You could argue, very easily, that without Brock McGinn’s diving save in the late 3rd period of Game 7, the Hurricanes would’ve been eliminated from playoff contention.

Not only did McGinn save the game in that particular play, he scored the game-winning goal in double overtime of Game 7 off of a pass from Justin Williams, effectively eliminating the defending Stanley Cup Champions, and securing the Hurricanes’ spot in Round 2 of the playoffs.

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