Makar claims Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar was voted the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as MVP of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sunday night.

The reigning Norris Trophy recipient led all NHL blue-liners and ranked third among all skaters in this postseason with 29 points over 20 games.

He's the first unanimous Conn Smythe winner since the PHWA started disclosing its votes five seasons ago, according to the organization's president, Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli.

The 23-year-old is also the youngest playoff MVP in 52 years and only the third player to win it at that age or younger. Bobby Orr did it as a 22-year-old with the Boston Bruins in 1970, and Serge Savard was 23 when he nabbed the honor with the Montreal Canadiens one year earlier.

Colorado defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in Game 6 to capture the Stanley Cup for the first time since 2001.

Makar came into the contest leading all skaters still playing in the playoffs in average ice time at 27:13. He logged 24:21 in the decisive matchup.

He already has an impressive amount of hardware, having also won the Calder Trophy in 2019-20 and the Hobey Baker Award as the NCAA's top men's hockey player in 2018-19.