Conn Smythe Trophy Power Rankings: MacKinnon, Andersen top the list entering Round 2

There’s finally some fresh blood in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

With three of the four conference finalists from the last two seasons eliminated entering the second round of the playoffs, we’re destined for two new Stanley Cup finalists this year and several new Conn Smythe Trophy contenders.

In fact, Colorado Avalanche defenceman Cale Makar is the only player left in the playoffs with a Conn Smythe Trophy on his resume.

So, who are the contenders heading into the second round of the playoffs? Let’s dive in.

Nathan MacKinnon (+450)

Nathan MacKinnon hasn’t put up otherworldly numbers in the playoffs (by his standards) with seven points (3G, 4A) in five games, but I expect that to change after a ridiculous nine-goal performance from the Avs in Game 1 against Minnesota.

MacKinnon produced three points in that slugfest against the Wild to follow up a clutch performance in which he had two goals to close out the L.A. Kings in Game 4 of the first round. When it comes to taking MacKinnon for the Conn Smythe, it really comes down to if you think Colorado will win the Stanley Cup. Get MacKinnon at +450 while you still can.

Frederik Andersen (+800)

When you think of Carolina netminder Frederik Andersen, you can be forgiven if the word “consistent” doesn’t come to mind based on his health and regular season numbers. But check this for consistent: Andersen has played at least 25 playoff games for the Anaheim Ducks, Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes, posting an identical .916 save percentage with all three organizations. That’s consistency defined.

The 36-year-old is on another level this year, leading the playoffs in goals-against average (0.90) and save percentage (.961) while allowing no more than two goals in each of Carolina’s five playoff wins to date. With plenty of rest from the Hurricanes’ first-round sweep of the Ottawa Senators, you shouldn’t expect playoff Freddy to slow down anytime soon.

Cale Makar (+900)

The Cale Makar vs. Quinn Hughes battle is the perfect example of why the current playoff format is broken. This second-round matchup could have been a first-round battle and it should be a conference final. But for now, I’ll just enjoy the two best defencemen of their generation going toe-to-to-toe in the playoffs.

And what a first taste of action it was in Game 1 between the Avs and Wild as Colorado escaped with a 9-6 barnburner win straight out of the 1980s. Makar and Hughes were both electric, but it was Makar who came out on top with two goals, including the game-winner. His four even strength goals leads all defencemen in the playoffs and he’s every bit as good right now as he was when he won the Conn Smythe in 2022.

Logan Stankoven (+1000)

Talk about a consolation prize. When Mikko Rantanen spurned Carolina last year by not committing to a contract extension, the Hurricanes pivoted and flipped Rantanen to Dallas to bring in Logan Stankoven among other assets and this year’s playoff run has shown what a good move that was.

“Stank” has opened the scoring in four of Carolina’s five games this postseason and found the back of the net in every one. And it’s not just the elite level production, it’s when that production comes. Four of Stankoven’s six goals have come at five-on-five and he also iced the Ottawa series with the Game 4 winner.

Quinn Hughes (+3500)

Enough with Colorado and Carolina, already, let’s look further down the odds. It’s shocking to me that Hughes isn’t further up on this list and I suspect that’s because oddsmakers have Minnesota losing to Colorado in the second round. But, if you’re banking on Minny winning the Stanley Cup, taking Hughes to win the Conn Smythe is a no-brainer.

Hughes is easily the best and most important player on the Wild’s roster and he now leads the playoffs with 11 points (3G, 8A) after a three-point masterclass in Game 1 against the Avs. He’s averaging an NHL-high 31:17 of ice time per game in the playoffs and he may singlehandedly drag Minnesota to their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.