Playoffs 2000:Stevens hits jackpot with Conn Smythe

Stevens hits jackpot with Conn Smythe
By Joe Lago
ESPN.com

Sat., June 10
As long as the Devils won the Cup, Scott Stevens was going to win the Conn Smythe Trophy. Not only did he shut down Pavel Bure in the first round, but he was an offensive star in a couple of the games. Then to handle Mats Sundin, handle John LeClair. And then to anchor the blue line when they had to come back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Flyers. And then to come and play against Modano. It's just incredible.

You have to remember he is 36-years-old. Factor that in when you consider how hard he plays every shift. Nobody has ever competed harder than Scott Stevens, game in an game out. Ever.

DALLAS -- Jason Arnott, Patrik Elias and Petr Sykora did the scoring. And Martin Brodeur resembled a human wall.

All the while, Scott Stevens stood in the background making sure no forward went unchecked.

Stevens, the New Jersey Devils' 36-year-old defenseman and designated hitter, was voted the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the playoffs' most valuable player after the Devils claimed the Stanley Cup with a 2-1 double-overtime win over Dallas on Saturday night at Reunion Arena.

Stevens' presence at the blue line and physical play enabled New Jersey to defeat the defending champion Stars in six games.

"Arnie played great for us, but Scotty has been the tower of strength -- he's very deserving," Devils head coach Larry Robinson said. "He wears the 'C.' He's been our leader throughout the series and playoffs."

"There are a lot of guys in our dressing room that deserve to win that award," Stevens said. "It is an honor and it is something I will always remember."

Stevens, one of nine remaining members of New Jersey's 1995 title team, anchored the Devils' championship run by stopping the opponent's top offensive threat in every round. He helped silence Pavel Bure (one goal), Mats Sundin (no goals) and John LeClair (no goals) as New Jersey eliminated Florida, Toronto and Philadelphia to reach the finals.

Against the Stars, Stevens was just as much of a presence. He helped limit Brett Hull and Mike Modano to a combined seven points, and routinely blocked scoring chances by Hull, who scored just two goals in the finals.


	Stevens kissed the Stanley Cup to cap off an incredible playoff run.

"You have to do your homework. You have to know how they play the pass," Stevens of his secret to defensive success. "This was a tough challenge against these guys because they pass so well."

"I have been playing with him for eight years and I don't have the best memory but I don't really remember him playing any better," Devils defenseman Scott Niedermayer said. "He was really focused on what he had to do."

Stevens played in all 23 of New Jersey's postseason games, averaging over 25 minutes a game and posting a plus-9 mark that tied for the best in the playoffs. He also made his presence felt offensively with three goals and 11 points, including an assist on the Cup-clinching goal by Arnott.

The 18-year NHL veteran joined Robinson (who won it in 1978) in the exclusive group of Conn Smythe-winning defensemen. Montreal's Serge Savard ('69), Boston's Bobby Orr ('70, '72), Calgary's Al MacInnis ('89) and Brian Leetch of the New York Rangers ('94) also won the MVP.

"There was no doubt in my mind that if we won the Cup, Scotty was going to be our MVP," said Arnott, whose Cup-best four goals made him an MVP candidate. "I think from the first round on, he led the way. He punished people."

Just ask Eric Lindros. Philadelphia's star center returned to play in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals but was knocked out by Stevens' open-ice hit.

"I've never seen the look in Scotty's eye like this ever," defenseman Ken Daneyko said. "He has been a great defenseman and is probably going to be a Hall of Famer one day, but he had something this year that I'd never seen from Day 1."