Ovechkin received 13 of 18 1st-place votes for Conn Smythe

The Conn Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP was Alex Ovechkin's to lose.

After leading all players in postseason goals, the Washington Capitals captain received 13 of a possible 18 first-place votes, the Professional Hockey Writers Association revealed Tuesday.

Ovechkin's linemate and the playoffs' leading point producer, Evgeny Kuznetsov, received the other five first-place votes and 13 second-place votes.

Goaltender Braden Holtby was the consensus third-place choice, receiving 16 votes.

In a somewhat surprising development, Golden Knights netminder Marc-Andre Fleury received two third-place votes, despite posting an .853 save percentage in the Stanley Cup Final.

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