Opening 2019 NHL Conn Smythe Trophy Odds: Vasilevskiy Listed as Favorite

• Andrei Vasilevskiy powered the Lightning to a franchise-record campaign with a league-leading 39 wins
• The goaltender is one of three Lightning players leading the way on Conn Smythe odds, alongside Kucherov and Stamkos
• The Predators’ Rinne and Arvidsson are among the list of intriguing Western Conference candidates to claim Conn Smythe Trophy honors

After leading all NHL netminders this season with 39 victories in just 53 game appearances, Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy enters this year’s NHL playoffs pegged as a +650 favorite to win the Conn Smythe Award as the Most Valuable Player during the playoffs, sporting short +650 odds.

2019 Conn Smythe Trophy Odds

*Odds taken 04/10/19

Vasilevskiy Favored to Be 1st Goalie to Win Conn Smythe Since 2012

Vasilevskiy has played a key role in the Lightning’s march to their best regular-season performance in franchise history, shutting out opposing shooters on six occasions, and also joining the league leaders in both goals against average and save percentage.

The 24-year-old has also benefited greatly from a fearsome Lightning attack that led the league with over four goals scored per game while accomplishing the rare feat of reaching the 30-win mark both on the road and on home ice. Vasilevskiy will also enjoy the benefit of experience gained from Tampa Bay’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals a year ago.

Goalie Leaders – Wins

1. Andrei Vasilevskiy(TBL) – 39
2. Sergei Bobrovsky(CBJ) – 37
3. Martin Jones(SJS) – 36
3. Frederik Andersen(TOR) – 36
5. Carey Price(MTL) – 35#HockeyTwitter

— NHL Huddle (@NHLHuddle) April 7, 2019

However, with goaltenders getting shutout from consideration for the Conn Smythe Trophy in each of the past six years, better value can be found further down the odds board this time around.

Kucherov, Stamkos Closely Trail Vasilevskiy

Not surprisingly, the Lightning remain perched as heavy +180 favorites to capture their first Stanley Cup championship since 2004 as they enter their opening-round series with the upstart Columbus Blue Jackets. Accordingly, Lightning players dominate the top of the Conn Smythe Trophy odds, with the NHL’s leading point-getter Nikita Kucherov closely trailing Vasilevskiy at +700, while Tampa Bay captain Steve Stamkos rounding out the front of the pack at +1500.

Kucherov proved his 100-point campaign of a year ago was no fluke by taking his offensive production to the next level this season.

Kucherov proved his 100-point campaign of a year ago was no fluke by taking his offensive production to the next level this season. The Russian sniper’s 128 points marks the most scored in a season since Jaromir Jagr tallied 127 points in 1998-99, and assures him of his first career Art Ross Trophy win.

Nikita Kucherov's 128 points this year are the most in a season since 1995-96, when Lemieux and Jagr had 161 and 149, respectively https://t.co/I5ty40KjJ3 pic.twitter.com/rv09AQzXvy

— Hockey Reference (@hockey_ref) April 9, 2019

The 25-year-old has also been a consistent playoff performer since joining the Lightning five seasons ago, racking up 59 points in 62 career playoff games. Kucherov is now poised as the man to beat in the race for the Conn Smythe entering Tampa Bay’s opening-round tilt with the Blue Jackets, whom he has scored six goals and eight assists against in six meetings since the start of last season.

Fresh off a career-best 98-point campaign, Stamkos offers plenty of value as a lengthy +1500 wager. The 10-year veteran finished the regular season on a tear, scoring 11 goals and adding eight assists over his final 12 appearances.

On our series vs. CBJ in the regular season: "I don't think [it] has any effect on when you play in the playoffs… It's a new year. I don't think we put any stock into that."

Practice day | Steven Stamkos: pic.twitter.com/piSOBhB8Oa

— x – Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) April 8, 2019

However, Stamkos will need to carry that torrid pace over into the playoffs, something that he has struggled at times to do in the past, including last year, when he mustered just one goal on eight total shots over the final four games of Tampa Bay’s Conference Final loss to the Washington Capitals.

Rittich, Gaudreau Sporting Best Odds in Western Conference

And with the Lightning pegged as massive +105 favorite to win the Eastern Conference title, any search for dark horse candidates is best focused on the Western Conference.

Goaltender David Rittich and sniper Johnny Gaudreau of the Calgary Flames lead all Western Conference players on the Conn Smythe odds, deadlocked at +2200.

Flames fans watching the game when Mike Smith’s in net vs. When David Rittich’s in net pic.twitter.com/UEht0OnJ4R

— Jonathan Hockey (@NotHuberdeau10) January 8, 2019

Gaudreau cemented his superstar credentials with a career-best 99-points, while Rittich’s 27 wins were key to the Flames’ climb to the top of the Western Conference standings. However, Gaudreau has yet to make his mark as a big-time playoff performer, and Rittich’s status as starter remains uncertain entering Calgary’s clash with Colorado.

Playoff Experience, Clutch Performances Making Rinne, Arvidsson Worthy of Consideration

No such issues exist in Nashville, where goaltender Pekka Rinne leads the Predators back towards another lengthy Cup run as a +450 bet to win the Western Conference, and an intriguing +1200 wager on the Stanley Cup odds.

Rinne led the Predators to another first-place finish in the Central Division standings with four straight wins to close out the schedule.

Rinne led the Predators to another first-place finish in the Central Division standings with four straight wins to close out the schedule. The 36-year-old Finn was also sensational while leading Nashville to its first-ever Stanley Cup berth two years ago, and offers plenty of value as a +3000 bet to win the Conn Smythe.

VIKTOR ARVIDSSON BECOMES THE PREDATORS FRANCHISE LEADER FOR MOST GOALS IN A SEASON!#Preds pic.twitter.com/3JbR6rJkZ2

— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) April 7, 2019

Another Predator worth a serious look is forward Viktor Arvidsson, who lags at an attractive +6600. The 26-year-old Swede enjoyed a breakthrough, albeit abbreviated campaign this year, tallying a franchise-record 34 goals and 14 assists, and confirmed his status as a clutch performer with seven game-winning goals in just 58 appearances.

Pick: Kucherov (+700)