The most valuable player to a team is different from the best player on a team. It should go to the player who defines value, not just in statistics, but is based on performance and leadership. If anyone had been asked this question in mid-December, the overwhelming response would have been Artemi Panarin, but when the New York Rangers began their improbably run for the playoffis, it was Mika Zibanejad who rose to the occasion.
To be honest, the right answer is to split the award and give it to Panarin and ZIbanejad. But we are not going to take the easy route and do that.