Senators’ Erik Karlsson received a surprise Conn Smythe Trophy vote

Sidney Crosby was rewarded the Conn Smythe trophy for the most valuable player to his team in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second straight year.

The Professional Hockey Writers Association released the voting totals for the Conn Smythe Trophy on Monday night and one name in particular stood out.

Ottawa Senators defenceman Erik Karlsson was the only player from a non-finalist team to receive a vote (one).

Karlsson guided the Senators to the Eastern Conference Final before falling to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins in seven games. Ottawa’s captain played 19 games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, finishing with 18 points — good for sixth in post-season scoring and tops among all defencemen.

Sidney Crosby captured his second straight Conn Smythe Trophy on Sunday night after the Penguins beat the Nashville Predators in six games. The Penguins captain received 11 first-place votes.

Crosby scored eight goals and 19 assists in 24 games, including seven points in the Cup final.

Other players to receive votes include: Evgeni Malkin, Jake Guentzel, P.K. Subban, Phil Kessel and Matt Murray.

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