2026 NHL Conn Smythe Trophy rankings: Will time off affect Hurricanes' Frederik Andersen, Logan Stankoven?

With the Western Conference final underway and the puck about to drop on the Eastern Conference final, the Conn Smythe Trophy battle is beginning to crystallize. 

There’s still a long way to go, though, and at least a dozen players can be considered solid contenders to win playoff MVP. 

With Cale Makar’s health up in the air, I feel pretty confident in saying we’re going to see a first-time winner. Makar is the only remaining player with a Conn Smythe adorning his trophy cabinet. 

Here are my best picks to win the coveted honor. 

5. Jakub Dobeš, G, Montreal Canadiens 

In stymying the Buffalo Sabres and propelling the Montreal Canadiens to the Eastern Conference final, Jakub Dobeš became only the second rookie goaltender to win multiple Game 7s on the road in the same playoff. 

The other was Canadiens’ legend Ken Dryden, who pulled off the feat en route to winning the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1971.

Dobeš was instrumental in both upsets, finishing Game 7 against the Sabres with 2.39 goals saved above expected, even better than the 1.42 he amassed in Tampa Bay against the Lightning. 

If he pulls off what would constitute a remarkable upset against the Carolina Hurricanes, Dobeš would likely be in the driver’s seat.

MORE: NHL Playoff Predictions 2026: Will the Hurricanes' rest or the Canadiens' resilience prevail?

4. Logan Stankoven, C, Carolina Hurricanes

A coin flip would be just as effective at choosing between Logan Stankoven and Taylor Hall as the Carolina Hurricanes get set to resume their playoff run, finally. 

I’ve landed on Stankoven because of his ability to pop and score at opportune moments. 

With seven goals in eight games, he is on pace to score the most goals in the playoffs despite playing considerably fewer games. 

I just hope he has enough smelling salts to reawaken after the longest layoff between series in NHL history. 

3. Mitch Marner, C, Vegas Golden Knights 

In Game 1 against the Colorado Avalanche, Mitch Marner resumed where he left off against the Anaheim Ducks, notching a sublime assist on the power play to put the Vegas Golden Knights up by two goals.

He has at least one point in 10 of 13 games, scoring 10 in the previous five. 

Not only does Marner lead the playoffs in scoring with 19 points (7 goals, 12 assists), but he also heavily influences proceedings in all situations, including spearheading the second-best penalty kill of the remaining teams. 

MORE: NHL Conn Smythe Trophy rankings: Can Golden Knights' Mitch Marner flip the playoff narrative?

2. Frederik Andersen, G, Carolina Hurricanes 

I’m sitting on pins and needles to see how Frederik Andersen reacts to having more time off than a family on an all-inclusive vacation. It will be fascinating to see whether the Dane picks up where he left off.

If he does, the Canadiens are in trouble. While Andersen has an expected goals against average of 2.37, he boasts an actual GAA of 1.12. He has allowed two third-period goals in eight games and has only trailed twice. 

The 36-year-old conceded just two goals with the opposition on the power play, and he’s battle-tested, playing in his third conference final. He has, however, never advanced to the Stanley Cup Final. 

MORE: NHL Playoff Predictions 2026: Will the Avalanche or Golden Knights represent the West?

1. Nathan MacKinnon, C, Colorado Avalanche

While Nathan MacKinnon’s goal streak ended at six games, he extended his points streak to seven, thanks to an assist on Gabriel Landeskog’s late third-period Game 1 goal. 

Despite a spirited outing that featured nine attempted shots, MacKinnon struggled to find much open ice against the Golden Knights. 

MacKinnon has 14 points in 10 games, and I expect him to be the difference-maker at home in Game 2. 

He’s failed to register a point just twice in the post-season, occurring in Games 2 and 3 against the Los Angeles Kings. MacKinnon’s 1.4 points per game align closely with his career post-season clip of 1.3. 

And I still think the best is yet to come from the Avs’ assistant captain. 

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