The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded to the player determined the most valuable to his team in the Stanley Cup playoffs. To win the Conn Smythe Trophy, a player does not have to be on the team that wins the Stanley Cup, as the winner is decided with the entirety of the team’s playoff run considered.
With both Conference Finals on the verge of ending, we’re looking forward to the Stanley Cup finals and the current favorites in the Conn Smythe Trophy odds.
Odds to Win the 2023 Conn Smythe Trophy
Here are the current betting favorites in the Conn Smythe Trophy odds, focusing on the Florida Panthers and the Vegas Golden Knights. Both teams have 3-0 leads in their respective Conference Finals.
Player (Team) | Odds to Win |
Matthew Tkachuk (Florida Panthers) | +400 |
Mark Stone (Vegas Golden Knights) | +600 |
Jack Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights) | +400 |
Sergei Bobrovsky (Florida Panthers) | +225 |
Adin Hill (Vegas Golden Knights) | +1800 |
Aleksander Barkov (Florida Panthers) | +2500 |
Conn Smythe Trophy: A Brief Betting History
When checking the NHL odds, we rely on many factors to make our picks, including form and various NHL stats. While the list of Conn Smythe Trophy winners features numerous current and future hall of fame players and legends who’ve hoisted Lord Stanley’s cup. In rare instances, the Conn Smythe Trophy can be awarded to an outstanding player on the losing side.
The Conn Smythe Trophy has been awarded 54 times to 47 players, and only five players from losing side. Sometimes a player’s NHL player stats and value to his team getting to and fighting for the Stanley Cup supersedes that of any player on the winning team.
Notably, of the five players awarded the Conn Smythe in losing efforts, four of them were goalies. Including the two most recent Conn Smythe winners from losing teams — Ron Hextal of the Philadelphia Flyers (1987) and Jean-Sebastien Giguere of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2003).
2023 Conn Smythe Trophy Favorites
When making our NHL picks, we review stats and trends. However, our betting favorite isn’t filling the net to help his team win.
Sergei Bobrovsky (+225)
If the Panthers make it to the Stanley Cup Finals, Bobrovsky will be the most significant factor in the Panthers’ improbable run through the Eastern Conference. Eliminating three of the four top regular-season NHL teams in the process.
Remember, Bobrovsky didn’t start a game in the playoffs until game four of the first round against the Boston Bruins. Since taking the net from Alex Lyon, Bobrovsky has a 10-2-0 record, a 2.15 GAA, and a .935 SV%.
Bobrovsky is our betting favorite, especially if the Panthers lose the Stanley Cup Finals in six or seven games. Bobrovsky could be the fifth goalie to earn playoff MVP accolades in a losing effort.
Matthew Tkachuk (+400)
Once thought to be the captain of the Flames, Tkachuk, indeed, is living up to the playoff expectations fans have. Leading the Panthers in playoff scoring with 19 points and scoring timely game-winning goals along the way. Tkachuk is having the type of playoffs where he will be awarded the trophy if the Panthers win the cup.
Mark Stone (+600) | Jack Eichel (+400)
The Vegas Golden Knights’ top two forwards will be the two VGK players in Conn Smythe Trophy consideration. Eichel leads the Golden Knights with 16 points, with Stone just behind him with 16 points.
Furthermore, while defensemen and goalies have won the Conn Smythe 29 of the 54 times it’s been awarded, VGK will add another forward to the list of winners if they win the Stanley Cup.
Our Pick to Win the Conn Smythe Trophy
After considering the Conn Smythe Trophy odds and the NHL Playoffs, we’re favoring and taking Panthers Sergei Bobrovsky to win.
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