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Four Strong Candidates For The 2023 Conn Smythe Trophy

Conn Smythe Favourites; sweater number 72

The moment everyone has been waiting for. Saturday cannot get here soon enough. The matchup for the Stanley Cup Final is between the Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers. While the wait for the anticipated Game One isn’t over, there is much to be discussed. The Stanley Cup is the most prized trophy in all of sports, but so is the MVP. As the matchup awaits here are the Conn Smythe Trophy favourites.

Four Conn Smythe Favourites As Stanley Cup Final Begins

Florida Panthers Favourites

Sergei Bobrovsky

Who other than the $10 million dollar man? It is truly remarkable he is a Conn Smythe favourite considering he didn’t even begin the playoffs as the starter. Alex Lyon may have helped get the Panthers to the playoffs, but this is the Sergei Bobrovsky show now. In the first-round series against the Boston Bruins, he came up big when he needed to. However, in rounds two and three it has been an entirely different story. It is the best hockey he has played in South Florida since signing the mega-deal. In fact, he became the goaltender to knock off the Presidents Trophy winners in the first round (Tampa Bay and Boston). 

But back to his level of play. Bobrovsky has been positionally sound and has made key saves. Some are highway robbery which has the forward looking at the roof and shaking his head. If he sees that puck he is stopping it. Bobrovsky leads all goalies in the playoffs with 19.7 goals saved above expected. In addition, the next three behind him combined have a similar total. Bobrovsky is rocking a 2.21 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage. In addition, he has a .741 save percentage in the high-danger area. Bobrovsky has become a brick wall and is looking like his Vezina Trophy self again. No goaltender has been better than Bobrovsky. And after all the injuries this year and not starting the playoffs, this is a great comeback story for him.

Matthew Tkachuk

Nobody on this planet is enjoying the Stanley Cup Playoffs more than Matthew Tkachuk. The American-born superstar has enjoyed the opportunity and has come up large all postseason. There is a reason he is a Hart Trophy candidate and is showing it in the postseason. Tkachuk currently leads the playoffs in points among active players. In addition, his nine goals are also the best among active players. But one thing Tkachuk is that clutch factor.

In the playoffs this season, he has four-game winners. Not to mention, three of them were in over time. After Bobrovsky robbed Brad Marchand on the breakaway in that crucial elimination game, Tkachuk played the heroics. Tkachuk went on to score the overtime winner to keep the series alive. The rest is history. Fast forward to the Conference Finals and Tkachuk dominated the series for Florida. In games one and two, both games went to overtime. A long and enduring Game One saw Tkachuk snipe a shot top shelf over Frederik Andersen. Tkachuk made quick work in Game Two Florida a commanding 2-0 lead. But the real heroics were in Game Four. In the dying seconds of the game, Tkachuk scores the game-winner to send Florida to the finals.

His impacts are endless. Tkachuk has the best Corsi for on the team (54.58), and his xGoals for (13.84) rank second. His ability to generate offence is endless and he has shown that all postseason. What stands out the most is with him on the ice, Florida has scored 11 high-danger goals. That is the most on the team. It is hard to bet against him to win it. The list of reasons for him to be a Conn Smythe Trophy favourite is lengthy.

Vegas Golden Knights Favourites

Jack Eichel

What a crazy couple of years for Jack Eichel. Just dating back to 2021, Eichel suffered a herniated disc injury. In addition, he was stripped of his captaincy. After a discrepancy over his surgery, Eichel was traded to Vegas. Looking at the trade now, it has worked well for both teams. Eichel had a successful surgery and has become a cornerstone piece to the Vegas Golden Knights. In fact, this is why he is a Conn Smythe Trophy favourite.

Between Tkachuk and Eichel, they both lead the playoffs in points among active players. The cool part is, they are American born. Eichel is a point-per-game player for the Golden Knights with 18 points in 17 games. He has a way of generating offence with his 11.97 xGoals for. Bruce Cassidy has turned Eichel into a two-way player. Eichel had the ninth most xGoals against (9.71). On a line with Ivan Barbashev and Jonathan Marchessault, the trio has caved teams in. They have a goal differential of 12-4 and an xGoals percentage of 60.5. He is not afraid to block shots (22 and first among forwards), and his 13 takeaways are fifth among Vegas forwards as well. Eichel is enjoying his first taste of playoff hockey and Cassidy has helped elevate his game to new heights.

Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Adin Hill

Adin Hill may not be the $10 million dollar man, but he is worthy of a Conn Smythe Trophy favourite. The Vegas Golden Knights have undergone a goaltending carousel. Logan Thompson went down with an injury and was done for the season. Laurent Brossoit began the year in the minors. Jonathan Quick was acquired for additional help. In addition, Hill himself was hurt and like Bobrovsky did not begin the playoffs.

Since he took over the crease, he has been nothing but spectacular. The defence in front of him has rallied to provide aid in front of him. But Hill has been great in net and holding the fort down. Hill has played three less games than Bobrovsky. In addition, he currently has a 6.4 goals saved above expected. His save percentage (.937) is slightly better than Bobrovsky and his goals-against average are lower as well (2.07). You can chalk that up to better defensive structure in front of him, but Hill has shown he can hold the fort down.

Main Photo: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

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