By Sean Allen Special to ESPN.com Los Angeles Kings ' Jonathan Quick ($10.6M) and Phoenix Coyotes ' Mike Smith ($10.6M) are easily leading their respective teams in the running for the Conn Smythe Trophy (playoff MVP). In the Eastern Conference, the same could be said for the New York Rangers ' Henrik Lundqvist ($11M) and New Jersey Devils ' Martin Brodeur ($10.7M). The Rangers have made it this far in large part because of Lundqvist's steady play in net (1.68 goals-against average), and while Brodeur hasn't been as dominant as the other three, he still has a nice 2.05 goals-against average.
Conversely, there are only three skaters left in the playoffs who have averaged more than a point per game, and all three are barely over that mark. Ilya Kovalchuk ($8.4M) has 12 points in 11 games for the Devils, while Anze Kopitar ($7.8M) has 10 points in nine games for the Kings. Meanwhile, the list of top-scoring defensemen so far in the playoffs is populated by several complete surprises, such as ($6.3M) and ($5.5M).
And now we move on to the Eastern and Western conference finals series, in which the lineup-setting for the ESPN Playoff Hockey Challenge brings an added challenge. Because this is the final lock period for the Playoff Challenge, you must pick a roster that will not only carry you through the conference finals, but will also represent you in the Stanley Cup finals as well. You will not be able to replace any players you select who are eliminated in the conference finals.
Basic strategy Goaltenders Series breakdown As noted before, Kovalchuk has been the Devils' offensive leader (12 points) this postseason. Second on the team in scoring is Alexei Ponikarovsky ($6.4M). If the Devils are your choice to win the Eastern finals, Kovalchuk and Zajac are the obvious choices for your roster. It's doubtful you will be hard-pressed by the $100 million salary cap in this game and require a sleeper, but the aforemenionted Ponikarovsky does have two of his four points in the postseason since joining Zajac and Kovalchuk on the top line. While Marek Zidlicky ($6.5M) and Salvador are worth consideration. Playing with Zidlicky on the point has allowed Salvador to match him point-for-point so far, and both defensemen are just behind the scoring leaders among defensemen in the postseason, with six points each. Perception is what counts My roster for Rounds 3 and 4
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