Steve Starr
- Nathan MacKinnon is a +300 favorite to win the 2022 Conn Smythe Trophy for NHL Playoff MVP
- Connor McDavid (+450) and Leon Draisaitl (+3300) co-lead the postseason scoring race with seven goals and 19 assists
- Andrei Vasilevskiy (+600) could become the second goaltender ever to win back-to-back Conn Smythes
With the puck dropping on the NHL Conference Finals, we’re exactly halfway through the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Lightning, Rangers, Avalanche and Oilers all have their fair share of contenders for the Conn Smythe Trophy, which unlike the NBA Finals MVP is awarded to the most valuable player to their club throughout the entirety of the postseason.
Let’s see who the frontrunners are for the National Hockey League’s playoff MVP. Here’s also where you can find the top betting sites for NHL hockey in 2022 and smart wagering tips in our 2022 Stanley Cup betting guide.
2022 Conn Smythe Trophy
 |
|
| Nathan MacKinnon (COL) | +300 |
| Cale Makar (COL) | +400 |
| Connor McDavid (EDM) | +450 |
| Andrei Vasilevskiy (TB) | +600 |
| Igor Shesterkin (NYR) | +650 |
| Nikita Kucherov (TB) | +1000 |
| Victor Hedman (TB) | +1400 |
| Gabriel Landeskog (COL) | +1800 |
| Darcy Kuemper (COL) | +2000 |
| Micko Rantanen (COL) | +2500 |
| Steven Stamkos (TB) | +2500 |
| Mika Zibanejad (NYR) | +2800 |
| Adam Fox (NYR) | +3300 |
| Evander Kane (EDM) | +3300 |
| Leon Draisaitl (EDM) | +3300 |
| Nazem Kadri (COL) | +3300 |
| Chris Kreider (NYR) | +4000 |
| Artemi Panarin (NYR) | +5000 |
| Brayden Point (TB) | +5000 |
Playoff MVP favorites
Nathan MacKinnon is a +300 chalk to win the Conn Smythe Trophy. While the 26-year-old is only tied for ninth in NHL playoff scoring with 13 points (8G/5A), his Avalanche are the current Cup favorites at +125. Colorado blueliner Cale Makar (+400) is second on the list. The Norris-Trophy candidate is tied with MacKinnon in points but has five fewer goals.
Connor McDavid (+450) and Leon Draisaitl (+3300) have drastically different odds despite leading the postseason with 26 points a piece. If the Oilers take an early series lead on Colorado, both Hart Trophy winners could see their odds shorten in short order.
Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon are about to go toe-to-toe in a tantalizing battle of NHL superstars https://t.co/Oad0eNBmsn
— Hockey Night in Canada (@hockeynight) May 30, 2022
Conn Smythe goalies?
Andrei Vasilevskiy (+600) could win consecutive Conn Smythe trophies after becoming the 14th goalie in NHL history to win the award last year. Both he and his Eastern Conference Finals opponent, Igor Shesterkin (+650), are viewed as the best bets from their respective clubs.
Vasilevskiy has the highest goals-against-average (2.22) and save percentage (.932) of the remaining playoff netminders, although his Russian countryman is not too far behind in either category (2.68 GAA and .928 Sv%) despite having a few rough outings versus Pittsburgh in Round 1.
Other Top Contenders
Tied for fifth in playoff scoring with 15 points (4G/11A), Nikita Kucherov (+1000) would be heavily in the mix if the Lightning won their third-straight Stanley Cup this June. As would 2020 Conn Smythe winner Victor Hedman (+1400).
As for the Rangers, 2021 Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox (+3300) leads all defenseman with 18 playoff points (5G/13A) and Chris Kreider (+4000) has added eight goals this postseason after notching 52 in the regular season. Artemi Panarin (+5000) only has four goals and seven assists through two rounds, but the “Breadman” could always get hot.
THE RANGERS STRIKE FIRST 🚨
Adam Fox scores on the power play!
📺: ESPN pic.twitter.com/CDxSFIBfwG
— ESPN (@espn) May 31, 2022
Best Bet
It almost goes without saying, but don’t bet on a player to win the Conn Smythe unless you believe his team is poised to win the Cup. While Leon Draisaitl and Adam Fox both make for terrific values at +3300, we believe it would be wiser to wager on stars on Colorado and Tampa Bay.
Take the favorite Nathan MacKinnon (+300) if you believe the Avs will win their first Stanley Cup since 2001 or throw bets on both Andrei Vasilevskiy (+600) and Nikita Kucherov (+1000) if you think the Lightning are poised to three-peat.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
