After Game 3 of the NHL Stanley Cup finals, and we realize what we knew after both games one and two, the Edmonton Oilers are in trouble up against the Florida Panthers. Down 3-0, do the Edmonton Oilers have any magic left to reveal for the 2023-24 campaign? The Panthers are deep, everyone can see it. Therefore, when we discuss the Conn Smythe Trophy favourite odds, the Panthers are heavily favourite.
Best Conn Smythe Trophy Odds for the 2023-24 Stanley Cup Finals
- FLA – G – Sergei Bobrovsky [-400]
- FLA – C – Aleksander Barkov [+400]
- EDM – C – Connor McDavid [+1600]
Before we discuss this year’s odds on who will win the Conn Smythe Trophy, let’s take a journey to the playoffs of past, and specifically the Edmonton Oilers.
The caption below was one of the two years that Wayne Gretzky won the Conn Smythe Trophy. Okay, so this is for all the cross-over sports and gambling fans. The 1985 Edmonton Oilers were definitely one of, if not the most unstoppable NHL hockey teams ever. In 80 games that season, they had 401 goals. Credit care of hockeydb.com.
Will the 2023-24 Oilers be able to come back from 3-0? It’s highly improbable, but one thing that is for sure, the Conn Smythe Trophy race will have to change. Connor McDavid is sure to hoist the trophy if the Oilers did come back from 3-0. Regardless, here are the frontrunners for this year’s honours.
The Best Conn Smyth Odds Belongs to Panthers Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky
Nobody likes to combine games, but it is hard to say momentum doesn’t carryover sometimes. He has a .953 SV% in the finals series. However, the Edmonton Oilers scored three goals in Game 3. So, which of the trends will prevail? The Oilers are getting more goals, and finding holes in the Panthers defence, or that they still haven’t scored very many goals in the series overall with four in three games.
Bobrovsky has the second best SV% of his playoff career this playoffs. In fact, his .916 SV% is better than his regular season. It is also hard to believe he is getting it done at 35 years old. Bobrovsky is also the only currently active NHL goalie with multiple Vezina Trophy wins (2013 and 2017). Seeing him add a playoff MVP to his mantle is not out of the realm of possibilities.
Aleksander Barkov
Aleksander Barkov is perhaps the greatest two-way player currently in the NHL. In the 2023-24 NHL regular season he had 80 points in 73 games, good for a 1.10 points-per-game. Furthermore, these past two playoffs have firmly supplanted Barkov as one of the greatest playoff performers in the game today. Look at these career playoff averages 22:10 of ice time, 52.9 faceoff win percentage, with 139 hits. He also possesses a takeaway/giveaway differential of +27. Moreover, in just the two most recent playoffs, in 40 games, he has 35 points. If someone deserves to win a Conn Smythe Trophy, it has Barkov’s name all over it, however, the Panthers have Bobrovsky in net. Therefore, it is difficult for Barkov to specifically tip the scales these playoffs, but it is still possible.
Connor McDavid
If the Conn Smythe Trophy winner odds are going to significantly tip, Connor McDavid will be a huge factor. Just check out his award cabinet. The guy is a winner. You don’t have to look any further than the MVP titles to his name. Moreover, McDavid still has a fairly possible shot at Gretzky’s record. That is especially so if the Oilers were to squeak out a Game 4 victory. McDavid has 29 assists, whereas 99’s record sits at 31.
Photo courtesy of Eliteprospects.com
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