Recently Sidney Crosby was awarded an Espy as Best Hockey Player. Yes. I know. It's only an ESPY (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly) Though severely hampered by a nagging high ankle sprain, he still managed to average 1.36 points. Second only to Ovechkin's 1.37. It can be seriously argued that had Crosby's status not been a rovolving door, he would have settled into a groove and claim the Art Ross Trophy that was rightfully his. But it was in the Stanley Cup playoffs that this young phenom took his game to another level. And that is exactly where the award was probably won. 

     Upon completion of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Regardless of the outcome, I believed that Sidney Crosby had more than cemented his case for winning the Conn Smythe Trophy. Joining Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Ron Hextall as recent winners who's overwelming excellence overshadowed the win-loss column.

     Despite playing in two fewer games and several years Zetterberg's junior, Crosby led the playoffs with 27 points. The youngest player to score that many since #99. Even when he was withheld without a point, it was'nt from a lack of effort. Crosby was noticable on every shift. Battling in corners. Taking hits. Giving hits. Buzzing up and down the ice. Creating chance after chance. All the while minding his defensive responsibilites like a seasoned veteran, shutting down the opposing line 5x5. If more Penguins played at his determined level, the Stanley Cup would be in The Steel City right now.

     Enjoy your ESPY Sidney. Cause if you avoid the Injury Bug next year, it will be bona fide hardware presented at June's annual gala.