Conn Smythe Watch After Round 1

Mikko Rantanen, RW, Dallas Stars

Rantanen`s “Revenge Tour” against his former team, the Colorado Avalanche, concluded in spectacular fashion. He racked up 11 points (five goals, six assists) in the final three games of the series, including a crucial third-period hat trick and an assist on Wyatt Johnston`s game-tying goal with less than four minutes left in regulation during the Stars` Game 7 victory.

He made NHL history as the first player ever to record four-point periods in back-to-back games during either the regular season or playoffs. He is also the first player to score a third-period hat trick in a Game 7 and the first with at least 10 points combined across Games 5 through 7 in a single series. In total, Rantanen finished the seven-game series with 12 points.

Stars GM Jim Nill signed Rantanen to an eight-year, $96 million contract extension after acquiring him, based on his impressive regular-season track record (705 points in 652 career games) and his reputation for clutch playoff performances. He now has 113 points in 88 career postseason games.

Rantanen was ranked first on almost every ballot we received from our voters. He is undoubtedly the leading candidate for playoff MVP at this point, and his performance fully justifies that position.

Kyle Connor, LW, Winnipeg Jets & Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers

There is a clear distinction between Rantanen and these two players in the current playoff MVP rankings, but both Kyle Connor and Connor McDavid are building strong arguments for themselves.

Jets winger Kyle Connor posted 12 points in seven games against the St. Louis Blues, demonstrating an offensive surge that helped overcome goaltending issues (including a double Vezina Trophy winner being pulled in three road games) and led Winnipeg to a first-round victory. Connor was spectacular in Game 7, assisting on two Cole Perfetti goals before adding a secondary assist on Adam Lowry`s double-overtime series winner. He significantly elevated his play in the absence of injured linemate Mark Scheifele, helping Winnipeg advance past the first round for the first time in three postseasons.

It still feels somewhat unusual to think of McDavid as the reigning Conn Smythe winner, having received the award after Edmonton`s seven-game loss to Florida in the previous Stanley Cup Final. However, when it`s playoff time, McDavid consistently produces points. The Oilers superstar has accumulated 110 points in 63 playoff games over the last five seasons, outpacing teammate Leon Draisaitl by 14 points.

McDavid led the Oilers in their opening-round victory over the Los Angeles Kings with 11 points (two goals, nine assists). This series was expected to be different for the Kings, who had lost to Edmonton in the first round for three consecutive seasons. It was different in one way: McDavid averaged 1.83 points per game in this six-game series win, slightly less than the 2.00 points per game he averaged in the previous three series victories against Los Angeles.

Our voters placed McDavid slightly ahead of Connor on their ballots, but they are the definitive second and third choices behind Rantanen at this stage of the playoffs.

William Nylander, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs & Logan Thompson, G, Washington Capitals

Multiple voters expressed surprise at including a Maple Leafs player among the playoff MVP candidates, but William Nylander`s performance warrants it. Toronto advanced past Ottawa in the first round and won Game 1 against the Florida Panthers, due in significant part to Nylander`s offensive output. He has been the most effective member of Toronto`s “Core Four” in the playoffs, with 20 goals in 36 games since the 2020-21 season, which is seven more than Auston Matthews has scored in that same period.

Nylander recorded points in every game for the Leafs this postseason except for Game 5, which was a shutout loss to Ottawa. However, “Willy Styles” bounced back strongly in Game 6 with two goals and an assist in Toronto`s series-clinching win. He has contributed three goals and two assists in the Leafs` Game 1 victories in each round, acting as both a pacesetter and a finisher.

Logan Thompson is the only goaltender who received mentions on our ballots, earning recognition from a handful of voters. The Capitals goalie posted a .923 save percentage and a 2.23 goals-against average in their five-game series win over the Canadiens. His ability to play five games was notable, especially after he needed assistance leaving the ice during Washington`s Game 3 loss. Yet, Thompson returned for the Capitals` wins in Games 4 and 5, allowing just three goals on 47 shots.

These were the only additional players mentioned by multiple voters. However, there are certainly others who could play their way into the conversation as the postseason continues.

Evan Bouchard, D, Edmonton Oilers & Leon Draisaitl, C, Edmonton Oilers

Remarkably, the Oilers eliminated the Kings in Game 6 without Leon Draisaitl recording a single point in that game. However, the Edmonton star immediately reasserted his presence in Game 1 against Vegas with an assist and the game-tying goal, his fourth of the postseason. Draisaitl is currently tied for the second-most points in the playoffs with 12 points through seven games.

Evan Bouchard, a defenseman, trails only the since-eliminated Cam Fowler of St. Louis for the most points by a defenseman this postseason. His powerful shots, known as “Bouch Bombs,” will continue to be a key factor given the Oilers` success. Bouchard has accumulated nine points (four goals, five assists) in seven games.

Jack Eichel, C, Vegas Golden Knights & Mark Stone, RW, Vegas Golden Knights

This is the dynamic duo for the Vegas Golden Knights. Mark Stone leads the team with four goals, while both players have six points overall. They had a quiet start to the playoffs against St. Louis but have since recorded points in four consecutive games, including two goals from Stone in Game 1 against Edmonton.

Wyatt Johnston, C, Dallas Stars & Jake Oettinger, G, Dallas Stars

Mikko Rantanen has deservedly captured the headlines for Dallas, but Wyatt Johnston`s contributions should not be overlooked. His power-play goal gave the Stars a crucial 3-2 lead late in Game 7 against the Avalanche. He has accumulated seven points in seven games.

Jake Oettinger stood tall in the critical final moments of Game 7 and has posted solid numbers throughout the postseason so far, with a .911 save percentage and a 2.85 goals-against average.

Mitch Marner, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs

Mitch Marner is close behind Nylander with nine points in seven games, highlighted by eight assists. He leads the team`s power play with five points. A strong performance throughout the playoffs could significantly impact his value in a contract year.

Sam Bennett, C, Florida Panthers

Sam Bennett leads the Panthers with four goals in six games. As the Toronto Maple Leafs have experienced, he frequently makes a significant impact beyond just scoring, sometimes in ways that change the momentum of a game.

Frederik Andersen, G, Carolina Hurricanes & Jaccob Slavin, D, Carolina Hurricanes

Frederik Andersen plays behind a strong defensive team with an aggressive forecheck that limits opponents` chances. However, when tested, the veteran goaltender has been outstanding, posting a .935 save percentage and a 1.45 goals-against average this postseason.

Jaccob Slavin`s impact was highlighted by scoring the overtime winner in Game 1 of the Hurricanes` second-round series. His other playoff goal was a momentum-shifting marker in Carolina`s Game 4 victory. But scoring is secondary for Slavin; his primary value comes from his heavy minutes (leading the Hurricanes at 24:28 time on ice) and his defensive prowess, anchoring their dominant penalty kill. He also benefits from goodwill built by his strong performance in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.

Alex Ovechkin, LW, Washington Capitals & Dylan Strome, C, Washington Capitals

Dylan Strome leads the Capitals with nine points and was one of the top scorers in the first round. Alex Ovechkin, a Conn Smythe winner in 2018, contributed four goals and an assist in their five-game series win over the Montreal Canadiens. They will need more performances like that in the tight-checking series against the Hurricanes.

If Ovechkin manages to carry the Capitals deep into the playoffs, could voters resist awarding him another playoff MVP trophy to cap his NHL record-breaking season?