Now that the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs have progressed into the Stanley Cup Last, it’s time to begin looking on the potential contenders for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
Loads can change over the following two weeks because the sequence between the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes performs out and one in all these groups hoists the Cup, however there at the least some contenders who’ve separated themselves from the pack.
Let’s check out them.
Conn Smythe watch: The purpose producers
Mitch Marner, ahead, Vegas Golden Knights. The easiest way to get acknowledged within the Conn Smythe race: Rating lots. Particularly sufficient to guide the league in factors. That’s what Marner has completed by means of the primary three rounds, going into the Last with a league-leading 21 factors 16 video games.
Jack Eichel, ahead, Vegas Golden Knights. Eichel doesn’t have the goal-scoring numbers (solely two), however he’s the highest-profile participant in Vegas and is main the league with 16 assists. If he pots a few huge targets within the Last and helps Vegas win one other Cup, he will certainly be within the dialogue.
Taylor Corridor, ahead, Carolina Hurricanes. Corridor has been an ideal match with the Hurricanes since he was acquired on the 2025 NHL commerce deadline, and he has been one in all their greatest gamers within the playoffs. He’s main the group with 16 factors in solely 13 video games and is the third-leading scorer within the playoffs.
The “clutch” participant
Logan Stankoven, ahead, Carolina Hurricanes. Typically it’s not essentially concerning the complete factors or complete targets, however when these factors and targets come. That’s the place Stankoven begins to place collectively a powerful argument for himself with three game-winning targets in Carolina’s first 12 wins. He has 9 targets general, they usually all appear to come back in large moments.
The goalies
Carter Hart, Vegas Golden Knights. Goalies will all the time be within the dialogue simply by the character of their place. It’s the most impactful place within the sport when it comes to successful and loser, and the goalies will all the time issue into this dialogue. After a reasonably dangerous common season displaying in Vegas, Hart has been one of the productive goalies within the playoffs with a .922 save proportion and saving 7.7 targets above anticipated (via MoneyPuck).
Frederik Andersen, Carolina Hurricanes. Of the 2 beginning goalies, Andersen may be going into the Last with the very best Conn Smythe probabilities. He’s main the league in save proportion (.931) and shutouts (three) whereas additionally having saved 11.5 targets above anticipated. Carolina has been nice in entrance of him defensively, however he has been excellent when he has been wanted.
The hidden worth participant
Okay’Andre Miller, protection, Carolina Hurricanes. Miller’s offensive numbers won’t stand out as a lot as a number of the different gamers on right here, however his influence can’t be questioned.
The Hurricanes are outscoring their opponents by a 16-3 margin when Miller is on the ice during 5-on-5 play, whereas the group has a 64.5% anticipated targets share. He has turn out to be Carolina’s greatest defenseman and will very a lot be within the Conn Smythe Trophy dialogue.
