The 2024 Stanley Cup Final is officially set for June 8. On that day, the Edmonton Oilers will visit the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena as each team tries to win the Stanley Cup. Before we get there, it is important to thank the players who helped their teams overcome this mountain.
The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually to the most valuable player in the playoffs. In this case, there are some that are more compelling on each side. Who are the top three favorites for both the Oilers and Panthers alike?
Producers: Connor McDavid
Now 27 years old, it would be a huge disservice if Connor McDavid doesn't finish his career winning at least one Conn Smythe Trophy. Just as he has done throughout his postseason career, the Oiler captain has proven that he is a class above the biggest superstars the league has to offer. With five goals and 26 assists for 31 points in just 18 games, McDavid seems destined for the Conn Smythe in Edmonton.
Seeing as McDavid has the most points (33) in as few games (16) back in the 2022 playoffs, this is nothing new for him. Now that the Oilers are in the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 2006, he will look to show the world that even in his prime, he will still be the best player on the ice of all time. This is the thread of his legacy.
As dominant as he has been no matter what, it's safe to say McDavid can do it again, even against the Panthers' defense. If he can do that and the Oilers end up winning, he appears to be a Conn Smythe contender. However, that doesn't mean his teammates won't be able to get close.
Producers: Leon Draisaitl
Because as incredible as McDavid was, Leon Draisaitl is right there with him. Sitting on 10 goals and 18 assists for 28 points, he has dominated big time. Getting at least a point in his 18 postseason contests (88.9 percent), it's all inevitable. Every night, he has proven himself no matter who is against him.
Related: 7 Cool Things About Leon Draisaitl
Consistently one of the Oilers' best players in creating scoring opportunities, Draisaitl is behind but still in the same conversation as McDavid for the Conn Smythe Trophy. The best players in the world can be good in both the regular season and playoffs – Draisaitl is even better when the stage is tough. In his first Stanley Cup Finals, he will look to prove this again.
Producers: Evan Bouchard
If McDavid and Draisaitl weren't always getting the attention, defenseman Evan Bouchard's ridiculous play would probably be the most talked about. He and teammate Mattias Ekholm were arguably the best defensive pairing in the NHL during the regular season – they've only gotten better in some ways.
Bouchard has an absurd six goals and 21 assists for 27 points in 18 contests for the Oilers, giving him the fifth-highest point total all-time by a defenseman in a single playoff season. The best part about this is that the 24-year-old blue liner has been unstoppable on defense, too. With an even-strength goals against per 60 (xGA/60) rating of just 2.13, he has been one of the best defenders on both ends of the ice. Among the 46 defensemen with at least 18 minutes of average ice time in these playoffs, he ranks third in xGA/60. In points, it is in second place with 11.
Again, Bouchard won't end up in the same conversation as his two superstar teammates at the end of the day, but his numbers were impressive. Having one of the best postseason games of any defenseman in recent memory, he should be considered for the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Panthers: Aleksander Barkov
Coming to the Panthers, it seems that the main contender for the Conn Smythe Trophy is also their captain. These playoffs, Aleksander Barkov has taken his 2023-24 Selke Trophy win to a new level. During the regular season, he was shutting down every team left and right. Now, he does so to the best players in the world.
Despite playing dominant minutes against star talent like Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning, David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins, and Artemi Panarin of the New York Rangers, Barkov's defensive numbers were excellent. Even stronger, he has an elite xGA/60 of 2.16 in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. As the main player to cover his lines, it would be difficult for him to improve.
Fortunately for the Panthers, Barkov's defense isn't the only thing that stands out about him. With six goals and 11 assists for 17 points in 17 games, he is tied for second on the team in points. By creating a high-volume offense and suppressing scoring opportunities at an even better pace, there should be no doubt that Barkov is among the favorites for the 2024 Conn Smythe Trophy.
Panthers: Sergei Bobrovsky
As good as Barkov has been, 35-year-old goalkeeper Sergei Bobrovsky deserves his laurels more than ever. Continuing his run in the 2023 season that helped lead the Panthers to the Stanley Cup Finals, he was fantastic for them. Although in a statistically regressive campaign compared to 2023, he is in the Final for a reason – he could not have been beaten by a goal.
Overall, Bobrovsky is sitting at a .908 save percentage (SV%), 2.20 goals against average (GAA), and 4.8 goals saved above expectations (GSAx). In his last two rounds, he has a high-end .921 SV% and a 1.76 GAA. Maybe it's recent bias on his part, but the 35-year-old has been the best netminder this season outside of the Rangers' Igor Shesterkin.
While Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner has had his moments, Bobrovsky has the highest output of any hitter in the series. If he can play another country in net, he can pass Barkov and take home the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Panthers: Matthew Tkachuk
This final selection could have been multiple players: Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Reinhart, or Gustav Forsling. However, it would be difficult to leave Florida's leading scorer in these playoffs without their favorites for the Conn Smythe Trophy. Although Matthew Tkachuk is slightly behind Barkov and Bobrovsky, he is still in the conversation. If he can win the Stanley Cup Finals, he can establish himself as a front runner.
Tkachuk was at his best against the Lightning in the first round, scoring nine points in just five contests. With five goals and 14 assists for a total of 19 points, he hasn't been as productive since then (10 points in 12 games) but he's still a great player. The Panthers as a whole have played a low scoring series against the Bruins and especially the Rangers, so they shouldn't be factored too much into that.
While Tkachuk hasn't been as consistent as players like McDavid and Draisaitl, he still provides points. At the end of the day, points count more than any other Conn Smythe Trophy metric. While Forsling's elite shutdown ability or Verhaeghe's dominance should put them in the conversation, having 19 points in the end seems to put Tkachuk above the rest.
In 2024, we are treated to the most star-studded Stanley Cup Final series in recent memory. This Conn Smythe Trophy, perhaps a little more than the previous winner, will carry more weight. It's anyone's game right now.
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