Stanley Cup Playoffs – Conn Smythe Trophy Odds and Pick
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The Florida Panthers are one win away from capturing the franchise’s first Stanley Cup. And while you may think selecting the best performer of the NHL’s postseason would be easy, think again. The Panthers aren’t led by a single superstar. They are arguably the deepest team in the league and receive contributions from a variety of players on a nightly basis.
And what if the voters believe the most valuable player in the playoffs is somebody from the losing team? Of the 58 times the Conn Smythe Trophy has been handed out, five players from the losing side have won the award. Could it happen again this year? Here is a look at the top five candidates, and their odds, courtesy of BetUS, to capture the 2024 Conn Smythe Trophy.
Updated Conn Smythe Trophy Odds
Sergei Bobrovsky: -120
The 35-year-old netminder is currently the favorite to win the award. Bobrovsky’s numbers this postseason are incredible; a 15-5 record, a 2.07 Goals Against Average and a Save Percentage of .916. “Bob” has won six straight starts and has allowed two goals or fewer in 12 of his last 14 games.
Bobrovsky yielded just four goals through the first three games of the series. However, he had a rough go of it in Game 4. Florida’s netminder allowed 5 goals in just 24 minutes of ice time before he was yanked in favor of backup Anthony Stolarz. Stolarz wasn’t much better as the Panthers went on to lose, 8-1. That poor showing put a dent in Bobrovsky’s chances of taking home the Conn Smythe, but he’s still the favorite at -120 odds.
Bobrovsky put up similar elite numbers in the first three rounds of last year’s playoffs before struggling mightily in the Final vs. the Vegas Golden Knights. But he is proving so far that he has learned from that experience and wants to add a Stanley Cup, and a Conn Smythe Trophy, to his already impressive NHL resume.
Aleksander Barkov: +110
You ask any head coach or player in the league and Sasha Barkov’s name is at the top of the list when discussing underrated players. Barkov leads the Panthers with 21 points and sits fourth overall in playoff scoring. But the reigning Selke Award winner has also been tasked with shutting down some of the game’s biggest stars and has done so with flying colors.
For the most part, Barkov has been matched up against the likes of Nikita Kucherov, David Pastrnak, Mika Zibanejad and Connor McDavid throughout the playoffs. Kucherov and Zibanejad were both held without a goal, Pastrnak scored just once (on the power play), while McDavid is scuffling so far in the Final. Barkov’s all-around play certainly warrants major consideration for the award.
Connor McDavid: +650
There is no denying that he is one of the best players on the planet. Before the Stanley Cup Final began, BetUS had Connor McDavid as the favorite to win the Conn Smythe Trophy at +200. That number has dropped significantly, in large part, because the Oilers are trailing in the series and the fact he was held to no goals and 3 assists through the first three games of the Final.
McDavid bounced back with a goal and three helpers in Edmonton’s Game 4 rout, but the Oilers are still facing an uphill climb trailing 3-1 in the series.
McDavid still leads all players with 38 points this postseason, including 11 multi-point games. In fact, he has 17 more points than any Florida Panther player in these playoffs. Sure, his trophy case is already full, thanks to five Art Ross Trophies, one Rocket Richard Trophy, and three Hart Trophies as the league’s most valuable player, but there are two big ones that still elude him. Those would be the Stanley Cup and the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Matthew Tkachuk: +15000
While this appears to be a three-horse race, it’s hard to think that Matthew Tkachuk isn’t considered one of the favorites to win this award. Sure, he has struggled to find the scoresheet recently with just one assist in his last five games and hasn’t scored a goal since Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final vs. the Rangers – but Tkachuk does have 20 points in 21 games this postseason and sits just one back of Barkov for the team lead.
There is still a chance that he will be the leading playoff scorer on the Stanley Cup-winning team. Tkachuk also plays an extremely gritty game and very few players can get under the opponent’s skin quite like he can. Just ask Connor McDavid.
Conn Smythe Trophy Pick
Before the Final began, I picked the Florida Panthers to win the Stanley Cup. I would be a fool to change my mind now. But I will admit, I thought McDavid was going to be named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner regardless of which team won. He’s just that good.
So far in the series, McDavid has not really been a factor in the Final as he and his teammates look overmatched. I truly believe Barkov has been the most valuable player throughout the entire postseason, but it’s hard to bet against Sergei Bobrovsky the way he has played, especially in the Final.
BetUS had the Panthers’ goalie at +375 to win the award before the series started. In hindsight, that would have made for a smart bet. My prediction is that Bobrovsky will close this series out, sooner rather than later, before capturing his first Conn Smythe Trophy.
Prediction: Sergei Bobrovsky (-120)
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