We’re only a few games into the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but the betting market has already created a clear divide between the top contenders in Conn Smythe betting and the rest of the pack. The Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes are Stanley Cup co-favorites, positions that are also reflected atop the playoff MVP futures board.
Let’s take a look at which players have gained the most betting momentum, and which unsuspecting underdogs could make a run up the board.
Avalanche Gaining Momentum
Since the outset of the 2025-26 season, the Avalanche have been viewed as a top contender. It’s not surprising then to see their elite performers attracting significant cash in the Conn Smythe Futures market.
Nathan MacKinnon remains the betting favorite. Considering the Avs’ assertive performances versus the Wild, there’s an argument to be made that the price is not yet high enough. Through the first two games of the second round, Colorado has 14 goals with MacKinnon recording six points and nine shots on goal. Accounting for nearly 23.0% of the betting handle, we should see MacKinnon’s price move off the +450 it has been holding at.
While Nathan MacKinnon is doing Nathan MacKinnon things, two other players have quietly asserted themselves as key pieces. Scott Wedgewood has been a brick wall between the pipes. Sporting a 6-0 record, 2.12 goals against average and 92.3% save percentage, the Avs’ netminder has seen a massive swing in his betting fortunes. Opening as a +6000 longshot, Wedgewood now sits at +2200 on the strength of 6.9% of the betting handle, the fourth-highest mark in the league.
If the Avalanche hoist the Stanley Cup again this year, the Conn Smythe will come down to Nathan MacKinnon or Scott Wedgewood.
Hurricanes Causing a Stir
For years, people have been waiting on the Carolina Hurricanes to take that final step. This could be the year it all goes together for the Canes. If that’s the case, Frederik Andersen and Logan Stankoven are the most likely players to be awarded the Conn Smythe trophy.
Arguably, no player has done more this postseason than Frederik Andersen. The Canes’ stalwart leads all goalies with a sparkling 1.02 goals against average and 95.8% save percentage. No player has seen a more massive surge in betting price. After opening at a forgettable +15000, Andersen now sits with the second-shortest odds on the board at +600. Backed by 8.1% of the handle, that line will continue to shrink the further the Canes wander into the playoffs.
Slightly less pronounced, Logan Stankoven is the other Canes’ player on the rise. He’s gone from +15000 to +850, albeit while seeing just 2.4% of the tickets and 1.9% of the handle. With six goals in six games, he’s a logical frontrunner to earn his share of Conn Smythe votes. Still, it’s worth paying attention to Taylor Hall, who leads the team in scoring. The former Hart Trophy winner is a distant +2500, with a far superior 3.3% of the betting handle.
Other Top Conn Smythe Contenders
You can’t take anything for granted in the NHL Playoffs. It may seem like a foregone conclusion that the Avs and Canes will meet in the Stanley Cup Final, but a hot goalie or elite scorer could easily tilt the balance in another direction. In that regard, the betting market has taken to a few different players.
Most notably, Carter Hart has collected the second-highest handle in the postseason. The Golden Knights’ goaltender has a staggering 11.8% of the handle on just 1.3% of tickets. Statically, he’s the worst of the top goalies, posting a 2.49 goals against average and 91.0% save percentage. Still, if he steals a series victory from the Avalanche in the Western Conference Final, we’ll see a substantive move off his current +5500 betting price.
We also have to start paying closer attention to Quinn Hughes (+3500). Granted, his Minnesota Wild are in a 2-0 hole versus the heavily favored Avalanche; however, we can’t write off the Wild just yet. Hughes leads playoff scoring with 11 points and is an invaluable contributor in both ends of the ice. Minnesota’s Stanley Cup chances are contingent on Hughes performing at optimal levels, correlating with improved Conn Smythe odds if Minny makes a wild comeback.
Finally, one of the Montreal Canadiens or Buffalo Sabres will represent the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference Final. Cole Caufield (+4500) has yet to find his scoring form, but if the Habs want to continue their unexpected run, it’ll come on the back of Caufield. Alex Lyon (+5000) is the premier contender in Buffalo, but Rasmus Dahlin is holding steady at +3500. Either player should see shortened prices if the Sabres’ magical run continues.
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