The second round of the 2022 NHL Playoffs is now over, and we now look forward to two exciting Conference Final matchups. With the stars from the top four squads rising to the top of the Conn Smythe Trophy odds board, we take a look at all the main contenders for the Playoff MVP award.
The Contenders
Nathan MacKinnon +330
Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon is the current favorite to win the Conn Smythe Trophy. This time of the year MacKinnon is at his best with the center averaging more points per game in the Playoffs (1.38) than he does in the Regular Season (1.02).
MacKinnon is one of the most dynamic players in hockey, and he leads the Avs with eight playoff goals to date.
The speedy Canadian has taken his career playoff points tally to 82, just the fourth player in Avalanche franchise history with 80 or more postseason points.
If he can stay calm and composed when opponents key in on him, and maintain the maturity he has displayed to this point, he can lead Colorado to the Stanley Cup. Back Nathan MacKinnon for MVP glory with FanDuel.
Connor McDavid +500
The performances of star player Connor McDavid have been the driving force behind the extended Playoff run of the Oilers. He led from the front with a series of excellent moves as The Oil fought off their Canadian rivals, the Flames, in five games.
He has the best individual record of any player in the 2022 Playoffs, scoring seven goals and 19 assists in his 12 games this postseason.
The 24-year-old has produced some phenomenal numbers over the past five seasons. He’s led the league over that span, scoring 549 points (193 goals and 356 assists) in 360 games. He is arguably the biggest star in the NHL, and the Oilers finally seem to have put together a team that is capable of supporting him in his quest to win the Stanley Cup for the first time.
McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon headline in the upcoming Western Conference Final as Edmonton takes on the Colorado Avalanche. The winner of this star-studded matchup is sure to be the big favorite to take home the MVP trophy. Enjoy a risk free first bet up to $1000 with BetMGM.
Cale Makar +550
Another Avalanche player who has stood out this whole season, and into the Playoffs is defenseman Cale Makar.
As well as being crucial to the defense, he has also had his most prolific season by far on offense. He has contributed 28 goals and 58 assists in the regular season, and is up to three goals, 10 helpers, 35 shots on net, 19 blocked shots and a plus-6 rating in their two playoff series wins.
He is a player with the x-factor. He skates like the wind, has incredible puck control, and he is often the one to make magic happen. There are a number of amazing players in Colorado, including MacKinnon, but Makar is the one that would be missed most if unavailable and would be the hardest to replace.
He is a virtual guarantee to win the Norris Trophy for the best defensive player of the season, and there is every chance he could double up and claim the Playoff MVP crown.
Andrei Vasilevskiy +550
Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy is on a six game winning streak that stretches back to when the Lightning were staring at a 3-2 series defeat in the opening round.
The Russian’s brilliance helped the Lightning sweep past the Panthers and reach the Eastern final. His playoff performance has shone brilliantly after a stellar performance culminating in stopping 49 shots to beat the Florida Panthers in Game 4 and complete the sweep that sends them to the Eastern Conference final for the sixth time in eight years. Impressively, this was his sixth shutout in his last seven series-clinching wins.
The 27-year-old nicknamed ‘Big Cat’ posted his 57th career postseason victory, and he’s conceded less than two goals in 28 of 87 playoff starts.
Vasilevskiy is the best goalie in the NHL, in his prime, and there is no stopping him. He is the reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner after guiding his side to the Stanley Cup last year, and it’s looking highly possible that history will repeat itself again in these Playoffs. Bet Rivers is your betting destination for the NHL Postseason.
Nikita Kucherov +900
After missing the entirety of last year’s regular season as well as 35 games in this current campaign, Nikita Kucherov has come firing back to his best this Playoffs, reclaiming his spot among the NHL’s most prolific forwards.
The Russian was the shining light as his Lightning team cruised through their second-round playoff series to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for a third straight season. He scored two goals and assisted five to add to his incredible overall Playoff record of 48 goals and 94 assists in a glittering career.
He can always be relied on to deliver when it matters most, as he leads the playoffs in power-play points after being the leading scorer in postseason in last year’s Stanley Cup winning run.
Victor Hedman +1,200
Swedish star Victor Hedman was the anchor of a Lightning defense that helped the team post a record 110 regular season points, the third-highest total in franchise history. He has continued to impress come Playoff time, having contributed on defense with 19 hits and 22 blocked shots and on offense with 2 goals, 8 assists.
Hedman is a defenseman out of the ordinary. He is built to win, both tall and powerful, with a unique combination of size and speed. His acceleration is very impressive, and when at full speed there are few, if any, defenseman of such stature that can match Hedman. Furthermore, he has a very good hockey sense which contributes to him usually being at the right place at the right time.
For the previous three seasons he’s had health issues throughout Tampa’s postseason run. If he can stay healthy this time, and the Lightning once again win the Stanley Cup, then he has to be in the running for the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Follow our dedicated NHL section at Franchise Sports to get all your betting guides and latest news throughout the hockey postseason.
