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The 2021 NHL Playoffs are cruising along and we’re almost to the Stanley Cup Finals. The semifinals are underway and with both series even at 2-2, we’re coming down the home stretch. The Tampa Bay Lightning host the New York Islanders in Game 5 on Monday and the Vegas Golden Knights host the Montreal Canadiens in Game 5 on Tuesday.
With the finals approaching, we’re able to narrow down the list of contenders for the Conn Smythe Trophy. The award goes to the MVP of the entire postseason, unlike other sports leagues where the postseason MVP is awarded based on play in the championship game or series.
Centers lead the way with 19 Conn Smythe winners, followed by goaltenders (16) and defensemen (11). That being said, it’s no surprise that goaltenders are among the leaders in the odds in spots 2, 3, 6, and 7. While centers have won the most, a goaltender has arguably as much of an ability to influence the outcome of a game as anybody. Plenty of luck plays in with deflections and shots off the post, but goaltenders get a lot of the glory in victory.
The Golden Knights are the favorite to win the Stanley Cup, installed at +145 to the Lightning at +155. The Islanders are +500 and the Canadiens +900. Although technically a non-Finals player could win the award, it’s going to be someone in the finals. Alex Pietrangelo is having a huge postseason for Vegas, while winger Nikita Kucherov and center Brayden Point have keyed Tampa’s run.
2021 Conn Smythe Trophy odds
Alex Pietrangelo: +250
Andrei Vasilevskiy: +400
Marc-Andre Fleury: +475
Nikita Kucherov: +500
Brayden Point: +500
Semyon Varlamov: +550
Carey Price: +800
Mathew Barzal: +1000
Mark Stone: +1700
Victor Hedman: +2000
Max Pacioretty: +2000
Shea Theodore: +2000
William Karlsson: +2300
Alex Tuch: +2300
Brock Nelson: +2500
Jean-Gabriel Pageau: +3000
Steven Stamkos: +3000
Josh Bailey: +3000
Jonathan Marchessault: +3000
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