Conn Smythe Power Rankings: Stankoven, Marner out entrance

Is the single-season playoff aim file in bother?

Only two non-goalies in NHL historical past have gained the Conn Smythe Trophy as a member of the dropping squad: Connor McDavid in 2024 and Reggie Leach in 1976.

Leach, the “Riverton Riffle,” gained post-season MVP honours on the power of firing 19 targets for the Philadelphia Flyers squad that dropped the ultimate to the Montreal Canadiens.

Nine years later, a 25-year-old Finn named Jari Kurri equalled Leach’s file complete with 19 tallies within the 1985 Stanley Cup Playoffs, because the Edmonton Oilers claimed a second straight title. While Kurri clearly had a powerful Conn Smythe case that season, the award in the end landed together with his linemate Wayne Gretzky, due to No. 99’s 17 targets and — look ahead to it — playoff-record 47 factors. 

Nearly 40 years on, it’s nonetheless unlikely the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs will produce a sniper with equal — or higher — output to Leach and Kurri. That stated, a number of guys are filling the online at a fee we’ve not seen in a while.

When Zach Hyman netted 16 targets within the 2024 post-season, he grew to become the primary participant to register a complete that top since Joe Sakic had 18 in 1996. As it stands proper now, we’ve bought a number of guys who’re candidates to change into the primary 17-goal springtime scorer since “Burnaby Joe.”

It’s robust to see anybody dethroning Leach and Kurri given the extent of competitors solely goes up from right here, however you by no means know with the best way these guys are going.

Of course, our Conn Smythe energy rating consists of extra than simply goal-scorers. With that in thoughts, right here’s our checklist of the highest MVP contenders on the Stanley Cup Playoffs’ midway level. 

(Here’s our common reminder that the rating we do after every spherical doesn’t contemplate how doubtless a participant is to be taking part in within the closing. It’s an analysis of efficiency thus far).

1. Logan Stankoven, Carolina Hurricanes

It’s exhausting to argue with seven targets in eight outings. And it’s not like Stankoven buried two hat methods and twiddled his thumbs the remainder of the time. The Canes centre has netted targets in six of his crew’s eight contests, and 4 of his tallies have come at five-on-five in a tie recreation. 

It’s a spring run 10 years within the making. Marner closed Rd. 1 with a two-goal, three-point outing within the contest that eradicated Utah, then saved the ball rolling with 5 targets in six video games versus Anaheim to offer him 14 factors in his previous seven outings total. The return of William Karlsson to Vegas’ lineup allowed Marner — the playoff chief with 18 factors — to kick out to the wing in opposition to the Ducks and he’s completely thriving there. 

3. Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado A-Z Eventz

After failing to attain in his first three 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff video games, MacKinnon has discovered the online in six straight contests. The solely gamers this century to place collectively longer aim streaks in a single post-season are MacKinnon’s teammate Valeri Nichushkin (seven video games in 2024) and Tampa’s Brayden Point (9 video games in 2021). The file is 10 by Reggie Leach throughout that 1976 MVP exhibiting. 

No goalie within the closing 4 has been extra central to his crew’s success than Dobes. The Habs rookie has but to lose consecutive video games this spring by way of 14 contests and got here up enormous not as soon as, however twice for Montreal in Game 7, highway victories that might not have occurred with out the massive Czech’s clutch play.  

The diminutive Canadiens blue-liner is taking part in on a stage large enough to indicate everyone within the hockey world what he can do. At 22, Hutson is a point-per-game defenceman (two targets and 14 factors in 14 outings) by way of two rounds and leads the post-season in complete ice time. 

Marner is piling up the factors and Dorofeyev is racking up the targets, however Eichel continues to be in the midst of all the pieces Vegas does. The Knights’ No. 1 pivot leads the playoffs in assists (14) and has solely been held off the scoresheet in two of Vegas’s 12 contests. 

7. Taylor Hall, Carolina Hurricanes 

A primary-overall choose 16 years in the past and Hart Trophy winner eight years again, you must suppose that is probably the most enjoyable Hall has ever had within the NHL. The 34-year-old winger’s 1.50 points-per-game this spring is tied with Marner for the very best mark within the playoffs. It’s secure to say Hall has discovered his hockey residence in Carolina. 

8. Brett Howden, Vegas Golden Knights

Sure, Howden is prone to regress from his playoff-best taking pictures proportion of 40 per cent. Still, eight targets is eight targets, and Howden is simply the fourth participant in league post-season historical past to have at the least three shorthanded strikes in 12 or fewer video games. If he nets yet another shorty this spring, Howden will maintain the NHL file. 

9. Pavel Dorofeyev, Vegas Golden Knights

What a time to be in line for a brand new contract! Dorofeyev was at all times going to receives a commission after posting back-to-back regular-season totals of 35 and 37 targets, however this springtime exhibiting — he leads the NHL with 9 tallies — is the cherry on high. His targets have are available clusters in the course of the playoffs, with 4 in Games 4 and 5 versus Utah and 5 within the closing three contests in opposition to the Ducks. 

10. Frederik Andersen, Carolina Hurricanes

All you are able to do is make the saves you’re requested to. Andersen confronted fewer than 100 complete photographs whereas taking part in each minute of Round 2 for his crew (91 to be precise), however he saved 86 of them and has a playoff-best targets saved above count on/60 minutes mark of 1.250. With this a lot relaxation, it’s affordable to count on the veteran Dane can hold rolling. 

There have been two Game 7s within the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs and Newfoundland’s favorite son (Yes b’y!) has scored the game-winner in each. Beyond the big-moment targets, Newhook has fired 5 extra tallies and leads the Canadiens with seven by way of two rounds. Only Dorofeyev and Howden have scored extra instances than Newhook this spring. 

Theodore netted 5 factors in six second-round video games and led the Golden Knights with a tick over 25 minutes of ice per recreation. His 4 targets are tied for the lead amongst defencemen this spring. 

Stankoven between Blake and Hall has been the perfect line within the playoffs, producing 9 targets in eight video games. As it occurs, Blake was the best member of that trio (and everyone else on Carolina) in Round 2, netting three targets and 7 factors within the four-game sweep of Philadelphia.

If you’re taking out Game 1, when everyone on Colorado bought their cookies in a 9-6 win over the Wild, Necas tied MacKinnon for the Round 2 scoring lead with six factors within the 4 remaining video games versus Minny. The huge winger is heating up, proper alongside his aforementioned centre.