NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) A year ago, it was Conor Sheary benefiting from the wisdom and skills of Sidney Crosby.
This year, it was Jake Guentzel.
Pittsburgh put the two youngsters alongside the best player in hockey and reaped the dividends along the way to a second consecutive Stanley Cup championship.
Crosby won his second straight Conn Smythe Trophy after collecting 27 points (eight goals and 19 assists) during the Penguins’ playoff run. He now has led the Penguins to three Stanley Cup titles.
But his contributions went beyond those numbers, as it also was evident from the way he helped nurture Pittsburgh’s young talent.