With only four teams left competing for the Stanley Cup, the field of candidates for the most valuable player of the NHL postseason remains robust.
This analysis presents the latest “Conn Smythe Watch” for the 2025 playoffs. We gathered input from over two dozen national and beat writers covering the conference finals, asking for their top three MVP choices following the first two rounds of play. The ballots were compiled before Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
It`s important to note that the Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded based on a player`s performance throughout the entire postseason, not just the final series. The selection is made by an 18-member panel from the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
The Current MVP Frontrunner
Mikko Rantanen, RW, Dallas Stars
For the second consecutive round, Rantanen leads the Conn Smythe Watch as he helped propel the Dallas Stars to their third straight conference finals appearance. Through 13 playoff games, he is the leading scorer in the postseason with 19 points, including a playoff-best nine goals.
Rantanen was the only player to appear on every single ballot surveyed. Only two voters placed him lower than first place, with one national writer ranking him second and one beat writer ranking him third.
As described by Dallas coach Peter DeBoer, Rantanen is playing “on a mission.” He was a dominant force against his former team, Colorado, which traded him earlier in the season instead of signing him to an extension. He continued his impressive run against the Winnipeg Jets in the second round, notably scoring a hat trick in Game 1 on the road.
Although his production slightly decreased later in the Winnipeg series, with one assist in the final three games, his earlier achievements secured his clear lead in the panel`s eyes. He is the first player in NHL history to record five three-point games within his team`s first 10 playoff games in a single postseason. He also set an NHL record by factoring in on 13 consecutive goals scored by his team, and at one point, he was involved in 15 out of 16 Dallas goals.
One voter highlighted his “crazy solo efforts he has had in a couple of games” as making him an obvious choice. Another commented, “It`s almost hard to believe the dominance he`s displayed.”
Adding to Rantanen`s case is his compelling narrative. His “revenge tour” against the Avalanche in the first round is part of a broader story about proving his worth after his new large contract with Dallas and showing he can be an offensive star without playing alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar.
“When you think about his journey this year, he`s been through a lot,” DeBoer said. “There`s been a lot written about him. There`s been a lot said about him. There`s been a lot of doubters out there.” So far, Rantanen has effectively silenced his critics.
Other Top Contenders
Frederik Andersen, G, Carolina Hurricanes
Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers
It`s crucial to remember that these rankings were compiled based on ballots submitted before the start of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Before facing the Panthers, Andersen was the distinct second choice among the voters, appearing second for playoff MVP on 47% of the ballots surveyed.
Leading up to Game 1, his statistics were remarkable: only 12 goals allowed in nine games, with a .937 save percentage and a 1.36 goals-against average. One voter commented, “His stats are mind-blowing when you think about how good Washington`s offense should have been in that series.” Following Carolina`s Game 1 loss to Florida, where he allowed five goals on 20 shots, Andersen`s save percentage dropped to .919 and his goals-against average rose to 1.74. It`s possible his position in the rankings, and perhaps that of Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, could change as the series progresses, but it was only one game, and his numbers at home before that loss were exceptionally strong.
Connor McDavid was also ranked in the top three in the previous round. In the 2024 postseason, the Edmonton captain became only the second player in NHL history to win the Conn Smythe despite his team losing in the Stanley Cup Final (to the Panthers in Game 7). Now, he aims to become the fourth player ever, and the first since Sidney Crosby (2016-17), to win consecutive Conn Smythe trophies.
Through 11 games, McDavid had accumulated 17 points (three goals, 14 assists). His average of 1.55 points per game leads all players still active in the playoffs. For comparison, through 11 games last season, McDavid had 21 points. However, a defining aspect of the Oilers` current run to the conference finals is that they haven`t solely relied on McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to carry them. This shared offensive load might be reflected in the voting.
For context, McDavid is the favorite to win the Conn Smythe according to ESPN BET odds, listed at +325 compared to Rantanen`s +350 as of Tuesday night.
Advancing Their Arguments
Jake Oettinger, G, Dallas Stars
Leon Draisaitl, C, Edmonton Oilers
These two players received the next highest number of votes after the top three contenders.
Notably, one beat writer ranked Oettinger first overall on their ballot, placing Rantanen third. This might reflect a slight recency bias; while Rantanen was dominant late in the first round and early in the second, Oettinger was a critical factor in all four of the Stars` victories against Winnipeg. He was particularly strong in Game 7, stopping 22 of 23 shots. Similarly, in Game 7 against the Avalanche, where Rantanen also excelled, Oettinger made 25 saves and was crucial in preserving the win late in that elimination game.
Overall, Oettinger holds a .919 save percentage and a 2.47 goals-against average through 13 games for Dallas. However, he still needs to build support, as he appeared on only three ballots in total, receiving one first-place and two second-place votes.
Leon Draisaitl is close behind McDavid in scoring for the Oilers, with five goals and 11 assists in 11 games. He was included in the top three on four ballots, with two ranking him second and two ranking him third.
Highlights supporting his case include two overtime goals: one in Game 4 against the Los Angeles Kings in the opening round to tie the series, and another in Game 2 in Las Vegas to give the Oilers a 2-0 series lead. He also provided the primary assist on Kasperi Kapanen`s series-clinching goal in Game 5 against Vegas.
These significant moments help counterbalance a low point in Draisaitl`s postseason, such as when Reilly Smith of the Golden Knights scored with only 0.4 seconds left in Game 3 on a shot that deflected off Draisaitl`s stick.
Another point in favor of Draisaitl`s MVP consideration is the recognition he is receiving for his strong two-way play. As the Oilers have become one of the best defensive teams in the postseason, achieving back-to-back shutouts to eliminate the Golden Knights, Draisaitl is earning a share of the credit.
“You often think of those guys who are putting up a lot of points, they neglect the defensive responsibilities,” Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch commented before the conference finals. “Leon has never neglected his defensive responsibilities. In fact, if I was to show clips on how to backcheck and how to work, getting above the opposition, Leon would be the leading guy on all the clips that I can find, and he`s the one who does it the best.”
Within Reach
Jaccob Slavin, Carolina Hurricanes
Andrei Svechnikov, Carolina Hurricanes
Sergei Bobrovsky, Florida Panthers
Brad Marchand, Florida Panthers
Several Panthers finally appear on the list, which speaks to Florida`s balanced and deep roster demonstrated through the first two rounds. After their series win against the Leafs, the team had 11 players with at least six points.
Sergei Bobrovsky`s statistics before the conference final (.901 save percentage) were not spectacular, partly due to four games where he allowed four or more goals. However, “Playoff Bob” has emerged when needed most, particularly in the final four games of the Maple Leafs series and in Game 1 against Carolina, where his performance was likely the deciding factor in the 5-2 victory.
“I try to stay with one moment and not try not to think about the future or past,” he said after Game 1. “So it`s one moment, one save at a time. And that`s pretty much it.”
Brad Marchand was tied for the team lead in points (12) after two rounds and made a strong statement for MVP with his decisive Game 7 goal against Toronto. He also scored a crucial overtime winner in Game 3 after the Leafs had taken a 2-0 series lead.
Both Marchand and Bobrovsky were included on two ballots. Bobrovsky notably received one second-place vote.
Andrei Svechnikov also appeared on two ballots, both receiving third-place votes. The Hurricanes winger was second in the postseason with eight goals after two rounds.
Jaccob Slavin contributed two goals and two assists in 10 games, including the overtime winner in Game 1 against the Capitals. He has had an excellent season, highlighted by a well-regarded performance in the 4 Nations Face-Off for Team USA. He also received significant praise from Capitals coach Spencer Carbery after Carolina eliminated Washington. “How he`s not in the Norris Trophy conversation every single year, it doesn`t seem right,” the coach stated. “He`s one heck of a player.”
Honorable Mentions
Seth Jones, Florida Panthers
Eetu Luostarinen, Florida Panthers
Seth Jones has been a strong performer for the Panthers, particularly impressive in their Game 7 win in Toronto. Through two rounds, Eetu Luostarinen was tied with his linemate Marchand for the team lead with 12 points. After scoring in Game 1 against Carolina, he now leads the team with 13 points, remarkably with 12 of those points coming in eight road playoff games.
