Stanley Cup MVP Race Intensifies
With one round completed and eight teams out of the running, the fight for the Stanley Cup Playoffs Most Valuable Player (MVP) award begins to take shape. One player stands out above the rest, setting records with his Game 7 heroics.
Here’s the first look at the 2025 postseason Conn Smythe Watch. It’s important to remember that the Conn Smythe Trophy is based on a player’s performance throughout the entire postseason, not just the final round. This prestigious award is voted on by a panel of 18 members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.
We surveyed a dozen writers who closely follow the playoffs to find out their top three Conn Smythe Trophy candidates.
Current Favorites
Mikko Rantanen, Forward, Dallas Stars: The “Revenge Tour” against his former team, the Colorado Avalanche, culminated spectacularly with 11 points in the last three games of the series (five goals, six assists). This included a hat-trick in the third period, along with an assist on Wyatt Johnston’s game-tying goal, in the Stars’ Game 7 victory. Rantanen is the first player in NHL history to record four-point periods in consecutive games, whether in the regular season or playoffs. He is also the first to score a hat-trick in the third period in a Game 7. In addition, he is the first player with at least 10 points in Games 5 to 7 of a series. In total, Rantanen has 12 points in seven games. Rantanen is the clear favorite for the playoff MVP at this moment, and with good reason.
Kyle Connor, Forward, Winnipeg Jets; Connor McDavid, Center, Edmonton Oilers: There’s a clear difference between Rantanen and the Connors in the MVP race, but both Kyle Connor and Connor McDavid are building strong arguments. The Jets’ winger accumulated 12 points in seven games against the St. Louis Blues, overcoming his team’s goaltending issues. McDavid, the reigning Conn Smythe winner, has amassed 110 points in 63 playoff games over the past five seasons. McDavid led the Oilers with 11 points in their first-round victory against the Los Angeles Kings.
Rising Players
William Nylander, Forward, Toronto Maple Leafs: Nylander has made a significant impact in the playoffs, with 20 goals in 36 games since 2020-21. He has recorded points in all but one of the Leafs’ games this postseason.
Logan Thompson, Goaltender, Washington Capitals: The Capitals’ goaltender had a .923 save percentage and a 2.23 goals-against average in five games against the Canadiens.
In Orbit
Evan Bouchard, Defense, Edmonton Oilers; Leon Draisaitl, Center, Edmonton Oilers: Draisaitl is tied for second in postseason points (12) after seven games. Bouchard has nine points in seven games.
Jack Eichel, Center, Vegas Golden Knights; Mark Stone, Forward, Vegas Golden Knights: The Golden Knights’ dynamic duo. Stone leads Vegas with four goals, but both players have six points.
Wyatt Johnston, Center, Dallas Stars; Jake Oettinger, Goaltender, Dallas Stars: Johnston has seven points in seven games. Oettinger has shown solid numbers in the postseason, with a .911 save percentage and a 2.85 goals-against average.
Mitch Marner, Forward, Toronto Maple Leafs: Marner is right behind Nylander with nine points in seven games.
Sam Bennett, Center, Florida Panthers: Bennett leads the Panthers with four goals in six games.
Frederik Andersen, Goaltender, Carolina Hurricanes; Jaccob Slavin, Defenseman, Carolina Hurricanes: Andersen has a save percentage of .935 and a goals-against average of 1.45. Slavin is fundamental in the Hurricanes’ defense.
Alex Ovechkin, Forward, Washington Capitals; Dylan Strome, Center, Washington Capitals: Strome leads the Capitals with nine points. Could voters resist the opportunity to crown Ovechkin’s record-breaking season with another playoff MVP award?
