After the high adrenaline, controversial mess that was Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, Friday night at Ball Arena will mark the first time the Cup will be in the building for someone to take home.
That team is, of course, the Colorado Avalanche, which holds a commanding 3-1 series lead after its contentious overtime winner. Should Colorado dispatch the two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday, they will have won their first Stanley Cup in over two decades. I can practically feel the goosebumps forming on my forearms.
With the Avs on the brink of such greatness, the underlying debate over who is most responsible for their playoff success will only heat up through the evening. Odds-makers with Tipico Sportsbook have a clear idea about a certain Colorado defenseman, but by no means are his teammates out of the picture for the postseason MVP award.
Let’s examine the current odds for the Conn Smythe with the Avalanche one win away from the Cup.
5 Andrei Vasilevskiy (+2000)
The last team to come back from a 3-1 series deficit in the Stanley Cup Final was the 1942 Maple Leafs. Toronto actually beat the Red Wings after trailing three games to none (!). Suffice to say, while the Lightning are still technically in it, history isn’t on their side to complete a three-peat.
But, if they do, look for Vasilevskiy to be their catalyst. The NHL’s arguable top netminder is probably the main reason Tampa Bay — struggling offense and all — got this far in the first place.
If Vasilevskiy can steal a game in Denver, all bets might be off for the potential comeback.
4 Gabriel Landeskog (+2000)
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
I must admit that I don’t see a case for Landeskog as the Conn Smythe winner. The Avalanche captain definitely hasn’t been invisible, regularly contributing (21 playoff points).
But in a postseason mostly marked by Colorado’s utter shutdown of opponent’s offenses, if you’re going to pick a forward, it’s not Landeskog.
3 Mikko Rantanen (+1200)
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To me, Rantanen is the main contender to unseat his teammate on the blue line. Throughout Colorado’s entire two-plus-month playoff run, he has just three scoreless games. One could easily argue he’s been the best and most consistent offensive player on a loaded squad.
If you’re rooting for chaos, these odds for Rantanen are ripe for the taking.
2 Nathan MacKinnon (+500)
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Alright, what are we doing here?
On no rational planet has MacKinnon been the Avs’ second-best player this postseason. He’s similarly still producing numbers and getting shots on net (22 this series), but these odds scream “narrative.”
Barring a bananas hat trick in Game 5 — fade MacKinnon, and hard.
1 Cale Makar (-599)
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I don’t think it’s possible for me to talk about how great Makar is without beating a dead horse. I mean, I could say how the Avs’ potential coming run of excellence is based around his play. I could also explain how the Norris Trophy winner already has the early resume of an all-time great.
But I won’t do that. Not now.
I’ll just say it would be a travesty if Makar didn’t get his first Conn Smythe after leading the charge for Colorado’s offense and defense. The best player on the best team. Reward him properly. He’s a lock.
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