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Conn Smythe Trophy odds (Sergei Bobrovsky set as sizable favorite)

By Iain MacMillan

May 24, 2023; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) defends the net against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at FLA Live Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
May 24, 2023; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) defends the net against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at FLA Live Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights will meet each other in the Stanley Cup Final with both teams looking for their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.

But, that’s not the only race going on during the final. There’s also the race for the Conn Smythe Trophy, given to the MVP of the playoffs.

Remember, it’s not like the NBA or MLB where the winner of the award is the MVP of just the final series. The Conn Smythe is awarded to the MVP of the entire playoffs, not just the Stanley Cup Final. Because of that, we already have a solid idea of who has a chance to win this thing.

And, to no ones surprise, Panthers goaltender, Sergei Bobrovsky, is set as the betting favorite.

Conn Smythe odds

Sergei Bobrovsky is Conn Smythe favorite

Sergei Bobrovsky has been absolutely lights out in the NHL Playoffs.

In 14 games and 13 starts in the postseason, he has a 2.21 goals against average and a .935 save percentage. Those numbers are way up from his regular season metrics where he had a 3.07 goals against average and a .901 save percentage.

Let’s not forget that it’s not completely unheard of for a player from the losing teams to win the Conn Smythe Trophy. It has happened five times since 1966 with four of those instances being awarded to a goaltender.

The latest example was Jean-Sebastian Giguere in 2003 who was the goaltender for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. He had a 1.62 goals against average and a .945 save percentage before eventually losing to the New Jersey Devils in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.

I’m saying Bobrovsky will win the Conn Smythe regardless of which team wins, but it’s within the realm of possibility.

In terms of the Golden Knights, the best bet on the board is Jonathan Marchessault. He has one less point than Jack Eichel, but has three more goals and his +/- is three points better than Eichel’s.

At +700, he’s the best Golden Knights candidate on the board to win the Conn Smythe Trophy.

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.