Rantanen becomes Conn Smythe favorite after 2nd straight hat trick
Mikko Rantanen has put the Dallas Stars on his back by recording back-to-back hat tricks; first to knock out his former team, the Colorado Avalanche, and then to win Game 1 against the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday.
Thanks to his heroics, the Finnish forward has vaulted to the top of the Conn Smythe oddsboard. Rantanen is +350 to earn MVP of the playoffs at theScore Bet/ESPN Bet, ahead of Connor McDavid (+700).
Conn Smythe Odds
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Mikko Rantanen | +350 |
| Connor McDavid | +750 |
| Frederik Andersen | +1200 |
| Leon Draisaitl | +1200 |
| Sebastian Aho | +1200 |
| William Nylander | +1500 |
| Jake Oettinger | +1800 |
| Auston Matthews | +2000 |
| Jack Eichel | +2000 |
| Seth Jarvis | +2000 |
Rantanen has eight goals and seven assists in eight playoff games, leading all postseason performers in goals and points. His flair for the dramatic is certainly helping his case. He scored three third-period goals in Game 7 against the Avs, single-handedly climbing the Stars out of a two-goal hole. He then scored all three goals needed to get past the Jets in Game 1.
After Game 5 of Round 1, you could've found Rantanen as long as +7500 to win the Conn Smythe.
The Stars are the favorites to win the Stanley Cup after picking up a road win to open their Western Conference semis. Dallas is +300 to win it all, and Rantanen's +350 odds reflect the high likelihood that if the Stars hoist the Cup, their trade deadline acquisition will be their MVP.
The Carolina Hurricanes are the second favorite to win the Stanley Cup but have two players above +1000 to win the Conn Smythe. Frederik Andersen and Sebastian Aho are both +1200, and one of them will likely earn the award if the Hurricanes win it all. You'd be better off backing Andersen and Aho to win the Conn Smythe, which would create a bet with +600 odds, if you fancy Carolina's chances.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are the fourth favorites to win the Stanley Cup, behind the Stars, Hurricanes, and Edmonton Oilers. William Nylander is pegged as the most likely Conn Smythe winner from Toronto, but if Joseph Woll (+4000) retains the starting role with Anthony Stolarz sidelined, he could be a worthwhile long shot if you think this is finally the Leafs' year.
There's still plenty of hockey to be played, and a lot can change between now and when the Stanley Cup is lifted. But if Rantanen continues to perform at this caliber, he'll be the reason Dallas wins it all.