Not so fast

It's normal, I suppose, to vote with your heart more often than with your head. Visions of glory silence voices of reason. Idealism trumps realism. Poop, I'm afraid, happens.

Take Montreal's rookie netminder Carey Price, for instance.

When the latest Hound Central 3.0 poll, launched before the second round of the NHL playoffs, asked which player would take home the Conn Smythe Trophy for their efforts as the quest for Lord Stanley's Cup pushes toward summer, Price took an early lead, one that he never relinquished. Of the 39 votes cast, the goalie garnered 15, or 38.5 percent.

Now that his Canadiens are facing elimination at the hands of the Philadelphia Flyers, a position that can be blamed on an apparent weak glove, those hopeful votes cast in his support appear to be in vain. Funny thing, too: The poll allows visitors to change their votes.

As expected, Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby and Washington's Alex Ovechkin, finished tied among voters, each receiving six votes. It further proves, I believe, the lifelong comparison that will follow these two players.

I was a bit surprised that Someone Else, who also received six votes, didn't do better. Given playoff performances by Philly's Martin Biron, Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin, Detroit's Johan Franzen and Chris Osgood, there are plenty of players worthy of consideration.

Question: Which player will win the Conn Smythe Trophy?

Montreal's Carey Price: 15 out of 39 votes cast (38.5 percent)
Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby: 6 out of 39 (15.4 percent)
Washington's Alex Ovechkin: 6 out of 39 (15.4 percent)
Someone else: 6 out of 39 (15.4 percent)
Philadelphia's Danny Briere: 3 out of 39 (7.7 percent)
Pittsburgh's Marc-Andre Fleury: 2 out of 39 (5.1 percent)
San Jose's Evgeni Nabokov: 1 out of 39 (2.5 percent)
Minnesota's Marian Gaborik: No votes