2023 Conn Smythe Odds: Best Bets Entering NHL Conference Finals

• Through two rounds of Stanley Cup play, no clear favorite is emerging in the Conn Smythe Trophy race
• Six players are assigned betting lines shorter than +1000, led by the favorite Sebastian Aho of the Carolina Hurricanes at +650
• Key performers like Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (+1000) and Carolina defenseman Brent Burns (+1700) are offering value at longer odds

As someone who has previously been part of the selection committee for the Conn Smythe Trophy, this is the stage of the Stanley Cup playoffs when the race for the Smythe truly begins.

At the conference final stage, everyone’s focus is narrowed to one game per night. The national media has all eyes on the fate of the four teams.

With upsets galore throughout the NHL playoff bracket during the first two rounds, a case can be made for each of the four remaining clubs as the team to beat for the Cup. That’s vital when it comes to Conn Smythe balloting. All but five winners of the trophy have played for the Cup-winning team.

2023 NHL Conn Smythe Trophy Odds

Currently, Sebastian Aho of the Carolina Hurricanes is the +650 betting favorite in the Conn Smythe Trophy odds. He’s one of a half-dozen players with a betting line shorter than +1000, indicating the closeness of the race for the honor of Stanley Cup playoff MVP.

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Odds as of May 17 at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Hurricanes’ Aho The Surprising Chalk

During a Stanley Cup spring that’s been nothing short of unpredictable, slotting in Aho as the Conn Smythe Trophy chalk is still a bit of a surprise. But perhaps his selection sums up what the Hurricanes are all about, their team-first, defend-at-all-costs approach. Carolina is the +230 favorite in the Stanley Cup odds, so it figures that someone from their roster would garner the favorite’s odds in terms of Conn Smythe Trophy betting.

Inching closer to the Conn Smythe… 🤭 #StanleyCup

Who's taking it home this season?

NHL x @FDSportsbook pic.twitter.com/kdwufn4ZST

— NHL (@NHL) May 17, 2023

Aho currently sits 23rd in Stanley Cup scoring with 5-5-10 totals. However, 14 of the players slotting in ahead of him are already eliminated from the playoff picture, so he figures to be climbing that scoring ladder by leaps and bounds during the Eastern Conference final against the Florida Panthers.

Of the other top contenders, Jack Eichel is leading the Vegas Golden Knights in scoring (6-8-14) in his first playoff appearance. Matthew Tkachuk (5-11-16) has been the heart and soul of the Florida Panthers.

Don’t Overthink The Process

There are a lot of names on the Conn Smythe Trophy odds list. But don’t let that distract you. Realistically, by simply looking at the first two rounds of playoff action, you can quickly narrow that list.

Goalies win a lot of Conn Smythe Trophies — 16 in total since the award was introduced in 1965. And on four of the five occasions that the Smythe was presented to someone from the losing finalist, it was to a netminder.

That being the case, you’ve got to strongly consider Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky (+1000), Carolina’s Frederik Andersen (+950) and Jake Oettinger (+1300) of Dallas. Exclude Adin Hill of Vegas (+3400). Golden Knights #1 goalie Logan Thompson is regaining his health and could be back this round.

Roope Hintz and gorgeous, gorgeous goals to open the scoring in the final game of a series.

Name a better duo. pic.twitter.com/zCd89jzLY4

— z – Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) May 16, 2023

Defensemen also win this award quite frequently. A defender offering tremendous value right now is Carolina’s Brent Burns (+1700). He’s arguably been the best player for the Hurricanes through two rounds and is getting a lot of Conn Smythe talk among the media types who vote on the award.

Another who seems out be flying under the radar is Dallas forward Roope Hintz (+1100). He’s second among Stanley Cup scorers in goals (nine) and points (19). He’s also scoring plenty of big goals for the Stars.

Pick: Roope Hintz (Dallas Stars) +1100.