Brad Marchand Now Favored to Win 2019 Conn Smythe Trophy After Two Games of Conference Finals
By Ryan Bolta in NHL Hockey
Updated: April 6, 2020 at 7:13 am EDTPublished:
- Brad Marchand leads the Boston Bruins in playoff scoring
- Boston leads Carolina 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Final
- The St. Louis Blues and San Jose Sharks are tied 1-1 in the Western Conference Final
The Boston Bruins have a chance to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Final tonight. Another solid performance from Brad Marchand would not only go along way to extending Boston’s five-game win streak, it would also strengthen his grasp on the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP.
Updated 2019 Conn Smythe Trophy Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Brad Marchand (BOS) | +250 |
| Jordan Binnington (STL) | +350 |
| Tuukka Rask (BOS) | +400 |
| Logan Couture (SJ) | +400 |
| Brent Burns (SJ) | +800 |
| Patrice Bergeron (BOS) | +1000 |
| Tomas Hertl (SJ) | +1000 |
| Jaden Schwartz (STL) | +1000 |
| David Pastrnak (BOS) | +1400 |
| Alex Pietrangelo (STL) | +1400 |
| Timo Meier (SJ) | +1600 |
| Martin Jones (SJ) | +2000 |
| Joe Pavelski (SJ) | +2000 |
| Erik Karlsson (SJ) | +2500 |
*odds 5/14
Marchand has been amazing this playoffs, leading the Bruins with 15 points. With that in mind, the +250 price tag attached to him leaves little to no value for bettors.
I believe one of his teammates and one long shot from the Western Conference are better bets to capture the MVP, especially when you consider the pay days attached.
"He just strikes me as a guy who is pretty at peace with himself right now."
Elliotte Friedman joined The Starting Lineup to discuss Tuukka Rask's legacy. pic.twitter.com/5b2lJEyYgf
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 10, 2019
Rask Leading The Way For The Bruins
While Marchand has been a major factor at the offensive end, Tuukka Rask has been exceptional between the pipes.
He was a large reason the Bruins escaped their 1st-round series with the high-powered Toronto Maple Leafs and he continues to shine as the playoffs wear on.
He is sporting a .937 save percentage, which ranks 1st, and a 2.02 goals against average, which trails only the Islanders’ Robin Lehner, who was eliminated last round.
Back in enemy territory.#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/mgCaVpfVzz
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) May 14, 2019
The Conn Smythe Trophy Odds are fluid and have obviously changed through two games of the Conference Finals, but I think the oddsmakers have overreacted and are now undervaluing Rask.
When you compare his stats to his rivals and consider how good he’ll need for Boston to win the Stanley Cup, I think he’s the best bet wearing a Bruins jersey.
Alex Pietrangelo a Dark Horse Conn Smythe Candidate
The St. Louis Blues have a workhorse on the back end who just so happens to be a dark-horse candidate for playoff MVP.
Alex Pietrangelo has 12 points, which is one shy of the team lead and third-most among defenseman in the playoffs. He’s also playing over 25 minutes per game on a team that relies heavily on a strong defensive structure.
I have been on the Blues as a Stanley Cup contender for a long time now and, should they pull off the franchise first, Pietrangelo will absolutely play a massive role.
The only thing we pause Gloria for is Chief. #stlblues #WeAllBleedBlue https://t.co/0Svkj3iFZD
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) May 14, 2019
Jordan Binnington and Jaden Schwartz are also strong plays should the Blues win, but for my money, Pietrangelo is the best bet, especially when he’s been given +1400 odds. Bet on the Blues d-man and enjoy singing Gloria with St. Louis as the playoff wins stack up.
Sports Writer
Ryan has been working at TSN for over eleven years, and is now a lead writer and content producer at That's Hockey. Over the years, he's launched and hosted TSN's first NCAAF podcast, The College Football Show, and been featured on the likes of TSN 1050, Sportscentre, and That's Hockey 2Nite.
