Conn Smythe Odds: Connor McDavid Is the Heavy Favorite Heading Into Game 6

Despite a 3-0 start to the series, the Stanley Cup Final rolls into a highly anticipated Game 6 tonight with anything possible.

After Game 3, the Edmonton Oilers looked like they'd be watching their season end with a whimper as the Florida Panthers looked far too dominant to match.

Edmonton showed some fight in Game 4, but it was Game 5 that really felt as though the series was turning. The Oilers' Game 5 win played an important role in the portrayal of both teams and their stars -- leading us to a point where the Conn Smythe Trophy looks to be going to the best player in the world, win or lose.

Let's take a look at the Conn Smythe odds via the NHL odds on FanDuel Sportsbook.

Conn Smythe Odds

Connor McDavid, Oilers (-440)

There is no one in this series playing at the level of Connor McDavid, especially in Game 4 and Game 5 with the Oilers' backs against the wall. It's been that way for the best player in the world these entire playoffs, and he's now showing it on the biggest stage.

McDavid has recorded back-to-back four-point games in the must wins, scoring three goals and dishing out five assists in that span. It's been a championship-level performance, bringing him to a playoff-leading 42 points.

It's hard to argue for anyone else in this series to take home the Conn Smythe Trophy over McDavid, no matter the team they play for. The most points to ever be recorded in a Stanley Cup Final series is 13 -- by Wayne Gretzky in 1987-88.

Sitting at 11 points through five games in this series, McDavid is set up to potentially break another Gretzky record in these playoffs -- like he already has with the most assists in a single playoff run.

Heading into Game 5, McDavid was at +700 odds to win the Conn Smythe Trophy. Now, it feels like it will take a zero-point night in Game 6 as well as an Oilers loss for someone else to get in contention.

If McDavid were to get the honor and the Oilers lose the series, he'd be the first Conn Smythe Trophy winner on the losing team since Jean-Sebastien Giguere in 2003.

Aleksander Barkov, Panthers (+650)

By the current odds, the Florida player most likely to take the Conn Smythe Trophy is Aleksander Barkov.

Barkov and the rest of the Panthers have taken tough hits in the last two games. The center is scoreless with a -4 plus/minus in that time as his team has gone 0-2. Not great, but he hasn't taken the hit in this market that Sergei Bobrovsky has as the goalie went from trophy favorite to barely in the discussion.

Florida's captain has been the most consistent skater on the Panthers in these playoffs. Through 22 games, he has 7 goals, 14 assists, and 21 points. He no longer leads the Panthers in points, but his overall performance -- including his defensive efforts -- gives him the edge over Matthew Tkachuk.

If Barkov can have a big game tonight and help close out the series for the Panthers, he may have a shot to take home the Conn Smythe Trophy, especially if McDavid goes without a point. But if this series is brought to seven games, it may not matter what a Panthers player does in the final game of the season.

Tkachuk (+3900) is the only other player to be considered on the Panthers roster right now due to his point-scoring. Both are long shots and need big performances tonight (and potentially Monday).

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.