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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Who should have won the Conn Smythe Trophy?
It will be a long-debated question after Ducks goalie Jean Sebastien Giguere was named playoff MVP despite playing for Cup-losing Anaheim, and Devils goalie Martin Brodeur helped New Jersey to victory with his third shutout of the final and a record seventh in the playoffs. We know where the home crowd stood, as they loudly booed Giguere.
"I'm not surprised they booed me," Giguere said. "In New Jersey they probably wanted their guy winning it and it is very understandable. There were some cheers too."
The award, voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association, is based on performance throughout the playoffs.
Giguere was 15-6 in 21 games with a 1.62 goals-against average, a .945 save percentage and five shutouts. He was the first goalie to win seven overtimes in a postseason and had a record overtime shutout streak of 168 minutes, 27 seconds.
Brodeur, who tied a record with his third Cup final shutout, was 16-8 in 24 games with a 1.65 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage.
"It's well-deserved for him," Brodeur said. "He's the only reason ... he's the big reason the Mighty Ducks made it so far. He deserves it. If I had lost, it would have been a little harder on me. Knowing I won the Cup, I'm not worried about the Conn Smythe."
WHO'S RUPP: Devils right wing Mike Rupp said he had a good feeling when he woke up Monday. "By no means did I know I was going to get a goal, but I felt really good," he said.
Rupp, 23, scored the winner, his first playoff goal in his fourth playoff game.
He was a first-round pick (ninth overall) of the Islanders in 1998, did not sign and went back to the draft in 2000. The Devils took him 76th overall. The Cleveland native was called up from AHL Albany on Jan. 11 and had five goals, three assists in 26 games. He didn't play in the playoffs until Game 4 as New Jersey struggled to replace injured center Joe Nieuwendyk.
"We know this guy has talent," coach Pat Burns said. "It's just a matter of getting him to put all those attributes on the ice."
Rupp's deflection gave the Devils a 1-0 lead in the second period. His next deflection led to a rebound with which Jeff Friesen scored. Rupp had a goal and three assists in four games.
"I never would have thought to get thrown into a Stanley Cup final," Rupp said. "I by no means filled Nieuwendyk's shoes."
BROTHER ACT: Devils defenseman Scott Niedermayer won his third Cup. His brother, Rob, who plays left wing for the Ducks, has none.
"I wish he could have been with us carrying the trophy around," Scott said. "I told him I was proud of him."
"It's just tough right now," Rob said. "We fought pretty hard. We just came up a bit short."
ODDS AND ENDS: Devils captain Scott Stevens played his 13th Game 7, tying Patrick Roy for the record. He played his 233rd playoff game, tying Claude Lemieux for third. ... Burns coached his ninth Game 7, tying him for the record with Scotty Bowman and Mike Keenan. ... The other non-Cup MVPs: Roger Crosier (1966 Red Wings), Glen Hall (1968 Blues), Reggie Leach (1976 Flyers) and Ron Hextall (1987 Flyers).