Jean-Sebastien Giguere The Last Player To Win Conn Smythe Trophy on Losing Team

Published on June 19th, 2024 1:48 pm EST
Written By: Dave Manuel


It is nearly the summer of 2024, and Connor McDavid may be on the cusp of winning the Conn Smythe Trophy (most valuable player in the playoffs), even if the Edmonton Oilers lose the Stanley Cup.

This would be a rare event if it happened - only FIVE players have won the Conn Smythe Trophy in a losing effort, and it hasn't happened in over 20 years.

Here are the five players that have accomplished the rare feat:

1. Roger Crozier, 1966.

During the Detroit Red Wings playoff run in 1966, Crozier put up ungodly numbers (for the time) in net for the Wings.

Over his 12 playoff games, Crozier posted a .914 save percentage and 2.34 GAA while leading the Wings to the finals, where they lost to the Montreal Canadiens. Crozier stood on his head that postseason and was deserving of the award.

2. Glenn Hall, 1968.

At the age of 36, Hall won the Conn Smythe Trophy after leading the St. Louis Blues to the finals.

Hall posted a GAA of 2.44 and a save percentage of .916 in his 18 games with the Blues that year.

Despite getting swept in the finals, Hall still won the Conn Smythe Trophy, as he was pretty much the only reason the Blues made the final.

3. Reggie Leach, 1976.

The first forward to ever win the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Leach was a force of nature in the 1976 post-season, putting up 19 goals and 24 points in just 16 games.

Despite the Flyers getting swept in the Finals, Leach was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy.

4. Ron Hextall, 1987.

Hextall and the Flyers ran into the Edmonton Oilers juggernaut in the Finals, but Hextall was superb throughout the postseason in 1987.

Hextall played an enormous 26 games that postsesason, compiling a record of 15-11 while posting a save percentage of .908.

Hextall also posted 43 penalty minutes that postseason, which is an incredible amount for a goaltender.

5. J.S. Giguere, 2003.

Giguere's numbers with the Ducks during the 2003 postseason run were superhuman.

A 15-6 record in 21 games.

A .945 save percentage.

1.62 GAA.

5 shutouts.

Given these numbers, it's hard to believe that the Ducks didn't win the Cup in 2003. Giguere probably had the easiest case to make for a Conn Smythe Trophy of any of the five players listed here.