Why did Connor McDavid win Conn Smythe Award? History of NHL playoff MVPs on losing teams

Bryan Murphy

Why did Connor McDavid win Conn Smythe Award? History of NHL playoff MVPs on losing teams image

Just one skater in NHL history had won the Conn Smythe after losing in the Stanley Cup Final before 2024. Such a feat takes a monumental effort to achieve.

Then again, not every skater is Connor McDavid.

The Oilers captain is the best player in the game right now and is well on his way to becoming a legend of the sport. While he does not yet have a Stanley Cup to his name, he now has a Conn Smythe, as McDavid was honored with the 2024 playoff MVP. 

McDavid nearly completed the improbable task of completing a 3-0 comeback against the Panthers. The Oilers won three games in a row to force a Game 7, but they were unable to get that fourth and final victory. Despite the team's shortcomings, McDavid put together one of the greatest postseason campaigns to date and was close to breaking the great Wayne Gretzky's record for most playoff points in a single postseason.

MORE: Why is it called the Stanley Cup?

Conn Smythe winners on losing teams

Six NHLers have now won the Conn Smythe in a losing effort, with McDavid joining rare company. 

Before 2024, the last time a member of the losing team won playoff MVP in the Stanley Cup Final came in 2003. Ducks goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere was awarded the Conn Smyth after the Devils defeated the Ducks in seven games of the championship series. Giguere recorded an impressive 1.62 GAA and a .945 save percentage, recording five shutouts during the 2023 playoffs, including three in the Western Conference Final against the Wild.

The previous time a skater on the losing club took home playoff MVP was in 1976, when Reggie Leach won it as a member of the Flyers. The Philadelphia winger posted 19 goals and 24 points, leading the league in both categories as the Flyers lost to the Canadiens in the Stanley Cup Final. He is the only skater to ever win the Conn Smythe as a member of a losing team.

Here's a look at every Conn Smythe winner that's been a member of the losing team.

YearPlayerTeamPosition
2024Connor McDavidEdmonton OilersC
2003Jean-Sebastien GiguereMighty Ducks of AnaheimG
1987Ron HextallPhiladelphia FlyersG
1976Reggie LeachPhiladelphia FlyersRW
1968Glenn HallSt. Louis BluesG
1966Roger CrozierDetroit Red WingsG

Full list of Conn Smythe winners

The Conn Smythe has been awarded to the top playoff performer since 1965. The 2005 season was the only year in which there was not a winner due to the season being canceled from the NHL lockout.

Here's a look at every Conn Smythe winner.

YearPlayerTeamPosition
2024Connor McDavidEdmonton OilersC
2023Jonathan MarchessaultVegas Golden KnightsRW
2022Cale MakarColorado AvalancheD
2021Andrei VasilevskiyTampa Bay LightningG
2020Victor HedmanTampa Bay LightningD
2019Ryan O'ReillySt. Louis BluesC
2018Alex OvechkinWashington CapitalsLW
2017Sidney CrosbyPittsburgh PenguinsC
2016Sidney CrosbyPittsburgh PenguinsC
2015Duncan KeithChicago BlackhawksD
2014Justin WilliamsLos Angeles KingsRW
2013Patrick KaneChicago BlackhawksRW
2012Jonathan QuickLos Angeles KingsG
2011Tim ThomasBoston BruinsG
2010Jonathan ToewsChicago BlackhawksC
2009Evgeni MalkinPittsburgh PenguinsC
2008Henrik ZetterbergDetroit Red WingsC
2007Scott NiedermayerAnaheim DucksD
2006Cam WardCarolina HurricanesG
2005N/AN/AN/A
2004Brad RichardsTampa Bay LightningC
2003Jean-Sebastien GiguereMighty Ducks of AnaheimG
2002Nicklas LidstromDetroit Red WingsD
2001Patrick RoyColorado AvalancheG
2000Scott StevensNew Jersey DevilsD
1999Joe NieuwendykDallas StarsC
1998Steve YzermanDetroit Red WingsC
1997Mike VernonDetroit Red WingsG
1996Joe SakicColorado AvalancheC
1995Claude LemieuxNew Jersey DevilsRW
1994Brian LeetchNew York RangersD
1993Patrick RoyMontreal CanadiensG
1992Mario LemieuxPittsburgh PenguinsC
1991Mario LemieuxPittsburgh PenguinsC
1990Bill RanfordEdmonton OilersG
1989Al MacInnisCalgary FlamesD
1988Wayne GretzkyEdmonton OilersC
1987Ron HextallPhiladelphia FlyersG
1986Patrick RoyMontreal CanadiensG
1985Wayne GretzkyEdmonton OilersC
1984Mark MessierEdmonton OilersC
1983Billy SmithNew York IslandersG
1982Mike BossyNew York IslandersRW
1981Butch GoringNew York IslandersC
1980Bryan TrottierNew York IslandersC
1979Bob GaineyMontreal CanadiensLW
1978Larry RobinsonMontreal CanadiensD
1977Guy LafleurMontreal CanadiensRW
1976Reggie LeachPhiladelphia FlyersRW
1975Bernie ParentPhiladelphia FlyersG
1974Bernie ParentPhiladelphia FlyersG
1973Yvan CournoyerMontreal CanadiensRW
1972Bobby OrrBoston BruinsD
1971Ken DrydenMontreal CanadiensG
1970Bobby OrrBoston BruinsD
1969Serge SavardMontreal CanadiensD
1968Glenn HallSt. Louis BluesG
1967Dave KeonToronto Maple LeafsC
1966Roger CrozierDetroit Red WingsG
1965Jean BeliveauMontreal CanadiensC

Bryan Murphy

Bryan Murphy Photo

Bryan Murphy joined The Sporting News in 2022 as the NHL/Canada content producer. Previously he worked for NBC Sports on their national news desk reporting on breaking news for the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL, in addition to covering the 2020 and 2022 Olympic Games. A graduate of Quinnipiac University, he spent time in college as a beat reporter covering the men’s ice hockey team.