RALEIGH, N.C. — There is a new name in the running for the Conn Smythe Trophy in these Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Brett Howden is executing that well.
Before things got out of whack Thursday night in Game 2 of the Cup Final, before Carolina rallied for a 4-3 overtime win against the Vegas Golden Knights and tied the best-of-seven series at a game apiece, Howden looked on his way of playing the part of hero for the visiting team.
Yet again.
He would score the team’s first two goals in an impressive manner, giving the Knights a lead they wouldn’t relinquish until midway through the third period.
The Knights didn’t have a shot for 12 minutes when Howden got loose on a breakaway with 6:27 left in the opening period.
Then, he beat one of the best defenders in the world in Jaccob Slavin and scored his second of the game.
“Two great plays,” Howden said. “One, Mitch (Marner) put the puck in a perfect spot. I just looked down and the puck was there and I felt I had an edge. Then (Ivan Barbashev) made a great play on the second one. I just tried using my speed up the middle there and he found me in a great spot.”
What that goal did: It tied Howden with Jonathan Marchessault for the most scores in franchise history during a playoff run with 13.
Howden had 12 the entire regular season.
Second line
There is no question Howden benefits from being on the same second like with William Karlsson and Marner, the latter a favorite at this point to claim the Conn Smythe, given to the best player during the entire playoffs.
What’s more impressive: Karlsson missed six months with a lower-body injury but made an immediate impact when re-entering the lineup in a second-round series against the Anaheim Ducks. An immediate impact with the other two.
But the scoring touch Howden has displayed is something else. The puck just seems to find him. He’s so versatile. Does a lot of the little things right.
John Tortorella knew nothing about Howden when the coach assumed his position with eight games remaining before the playoffs. He does now.
“I think he’s in the moment,” Tortorella said. ‘That (second) line has been good. When we put that line together, it just connected. I don’t think he’s afraid of a damn thing.
“As far as the playoffs, what comes with it, the flows of it, I just think he feels that good about himself.”
The Knights felt good about themselves until Carolina began its comeback, scoring two goals in two minutes to tie things at 2-2 and then taking the lead on a power-play score set up by a non-successful challenge from Tortorella after a disallowed goal.
Vegas, however, had an advantage for over 50 minutes because of Howden’s stellar play. Because he’s on some sort of streak right now.
“They obviously had a push,” Howden said. “They had a push but I thought we did a great job of fighting back and getting one late there (from Mark Stone with 1:21 left to force overtime).
“We’ve been through a lot of adversity this whole year. It’s just another step for us to climb and like I said, we’re super excited to get back home and get to our fans.”
‘A wonderful player’
Knights forward Keegan Kolesar has competed against Howden since he was 12-years-old and said he always knew this sort of ability was inside him.
That while he is playing with two tremendous talents in Karlsson and Marner, Howden has simply found his rhythm now.
And you see the results.
His linemate agrees.
“He’s a good player,” Karlsson said. “He does everything well on both sides of the ice. I think he’s always had the scoring touch and now he gets a chance to show it in the playoffs and score a lot of goals. He’s a wonderful player.”
One who’s climbing the board as those in serious contention for the Conn Smythe.
Brett Howden is that good right now.
He is executing that well.
Ed Graney, a Sigma Delta Chi Award winner for sports column writing, can be reached at egraney@reviewjournal.com. Follow @edgraney on X.
