Howden Has 13 Goals. Stankoven Has 10. The Conn Smythe Race Just Got Interesting.
Two depth scorers. Two franchise records in sight. One trophy.
The Kid ran the numbers on the depth scoring and the picture is wild. Brett Howden — a fourth-liner — has 13 playoff goals for Vegas. That ties Jonathan Marchessault's franchise record from the 2023 Cup run. Howden had 12 goals in 58 regular-season games this year. He's already passed that in 18 playoff games.
On the other side, Logan Stankoven has 10 playoff goals for Carolina. That's tied with Eric Staal in 2009 for second-most in franchise history. Stankoven isn't a fourth-liner — he's emerged as a legitimate top-six threat — but he wasn't supposed to be this.
Here's the seam: if Vegas wins, Howden has a Conn Smythe case. If Carolina wins, Stankoven might have one too. The goalies have been fine but not dominant. The star players have been good but not transcendent. The depth guys are carrying the load.
Three goals separate them. At least two games left. Watch this race.