What seemed impossible is now reality. At one time down three games to none, the Edmonton Oilers have staved off elimination not once but twice and so the Stanley Cup Final continues Friday night in Edmonton, Alberta. We have ourselves a series. It is Game 6 with the Florida Panthers now leading the Oilers three games to two. The Panthers (-330 to win the series) are still substantial favorites to lift the Stanley Cup, but the Oilers (+275) remain very much alive.
Few things about this series have been consistent and that is ultimately why the conversation regarding the Conn Smythe Trophy has been building. Sergei Bobrovsky began the series as the logical choice and favorite for the Conn Smythe but the last two outings for the Panthers and specifically Bobrovsky (+750) have derailed that narrative. Edmonton’s Stuart Skinner (+50000) was the far greater question mark, but his game has been at worst exceptional and timely the last couple of games. Matthew Tkachuk (+3000) now has 22 points in 22 playoff games this postseason. Could those 22 points in addition to his Game 5 last minute all-out dive to prevent an Oilers’ empty net goal symbolizing the drive and grit he brings to the Panthers have awakened voters as to his value to the Panthers? Aleksander Barkov (+300) is the most likely Panther to earn the Conn Smythe and a couple points Friday night would help, but the inability of the NHL’s Selke award winner to slow down Connor McDavid AT ALL makes Barkov’s case difficult to make.
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Now, we get to Connor McDavid (-200). The unquestioned best player in the NHL has put together highlight after highlight throughout the playoffs but especially in big moments. The former #1 pick overall is living in Wayne Gretzky territory. That is hallowed ground. McDavid has 42 points in 22 playoff games including four in both Game 4 and Game 5 when the Oilers were staring elimination in the face. Connor McDavid is now favored to win the Conn Smythe whether or not the Oilers lift the Stanley Cup. If the Panthers are able to overcome the Oilers’ momentum and win either Game 6 or 7 AND yet McDavid were to claim the Conn Smythe, Connor would be the first player since Jean-Sebastien Giguere in 2003 and just sixth layer overall to lose in the Cup Final but win the MVP of…