Conn Smythe Rankings: West Leads with Top Candidates

The race for the Conn Smythe Trophy has narrowed significantly as the Stanley Cup Playoffs reach the final four teams.

The Western Conference Final features most of the leading candidates in what should be an outstanding series. Meanwhile, the Panthers and Hurricanes continue succeeding through balanced team efforts, making individual standouts harder to identify.

Here’s where the Conn Smythe race stands heading into Round 3.

5. Evan Bouchard, Oilers

Previous: Unranked

GP	G	A	ATOI	xGF%
11	4	8	26:24	62.46%

Bouchard has emerged as the top defenseman in Conn Smythe contention, though standing out on an Oilers team full of candidates won’t be easy. He leads all playoff defensemen in points and shots while tied for the most goals among blueliners.

His defensive play has improved significantly. Edmonton allowed just two five-on-five goals with Bouchard on ice against Vegas – a major improvement from the Kings series. He also leads all defenders with 13 takeaways this postseason.

Critics often label Bouchard as a power-play specialist, but nine of his 12 playoff points have come at even strength. Despite Edmonton’s power play not clicking at its usual rate, he continues making significant impacts on the team’s success.

4. Frederik Andersen, Hurricanes

Previous: 5

GP	Sv%	GAA	GSAx
9	.937	1.36	14.96

Andersen has been the best goaltender in the playoffs, leading all netminders in save percentage, goals-against average, and goals saved above expected while losing just two games.

The Hurricanes steamrolled their Metropolitan Division opponents en route to the Eastern Conference Final.

Carolina’s top scorers – Seth Jarvis and Sebastian Aho – each have a modest 10 points. While the Hurricanes typically succeed by committee, they haven’t had goaltending this strong in the playoffs during their current competitive era. If Andersen maintains this level, it’s hard to see any team beating Carolina four times.

3. Leon Draisaitl, Oilers

Previous: 3

GP	G	A	ATOI	xGF%
11	5	11	22:52	62.88%

Draisaitl has climbed to third in playoff scoring after recording six points against Vegas, including his second overtime winner of the postseason. He ranks second among all remaining forwards in takeaways and ice time while producing outstanding underlying numbers.

The only factor hurting Draisaitl’s candidacy is no fault of his own – his captain is doing everything he’s doing, just slightly better. If the Oilers advance as far as last year or beyond, the debate over which Edmonton star deserves the playoff MVP will intensify.

2. Mikko Rantanen, Stars

Previous: 1

GP	G	A	ATOI	xGF%
13	9	10	20:42	50.44%

Rantanen holds a two-point lead atop the playoff scoring race but trails our top candidate in points per game and even-strength production. The Stars winger started Round 2 strong with three-point efforts in Games 1 and 3, but managed just one point in the remaining games and was held scoreless in the final two contests against the Jets.

It would be unrealistic to expect Rantanen to maintain his early Round 2 production rate, but the brief decline was enough to drop him one spot in these rankings. The 28-year-old still has a strong chance at the playoff MVP, especially if he helps eliminate his two closest competitors in the Western Conference Final.

1. Connor McDavid, Oilers

Previous: 2

GP	G	A	ATOI	xGF%
11	3	14	23:46	65.77%

McDavid recorded five points in five games as the Oilers impressively eliminated the Golden Knights. While Edmonton advanced on the strength of contributions throughout the lineup, the team posted a 61.56% expected goals share and controlled 62.23% of shot attempts with McDavid on ice at five-on-five in Round 2.

He leads the playoffs in even-strength points and tops all remaining players with 1.55 points per game.

Already one of the most prolific postseason performers in NHL history, McDavid is enhancing his legacy with stellar all-around play while focused on avenging last year’s Stanley Cup Final defeat. His testy responses about Stuart Skinner’s performance and the Oilers’ defensive abilities following the second-round victory demonstrated his intense focus. Hockey fans will be watching to see how far he can take his team this spring.

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