The NHL playoffs are heating up, and with the halfway mark approaching, it's time to update our Conn Smythe Trophy rankings. Right now, the leaderboard has a clear theme: the Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes are dominating the conversation.
Both teams are a perfect 6-0 to start the postseason, putting them in prime position to represent their conferences in the Stanley Cup Final. Their red-hot play has naturally placed their stars front and center in the race for playoff MVP honors.
Among the top five favorites, Sebastian Aho of the Hurricanes is generating some debate. Despite being a perennial playoff performer—with 88 career postseason points in 95 games—his current stat line of three goals and zero assists through six games raises eyebrows. One of those goals came as an empty-net insurance marker in Game 4 against the Ottawa Senators. It seems his reputation and past success are keeping him in the conversation.
For a more compelling Hurricanes pick, look no further than Logan Stankoven. He's been electric, scoring six goals in the first five games, including a goal in each of the first four contests and two in Game 1 against the Philadelphia Flyers. He opened the scoring in three of four games against the Senators and set the tone against the Flyers. While he was held off the scoresheet in Game 2 against Philadelphia, he still leads the team in momentum, trailing only linemates Jackson Blake (eight points) and Taylor Hall (nine points) in total points.
On the Avalanche side, Cale Makar has been a force. After a slow start with no points in the first two games against the Los Angeles Kings, he flipped the switch, scoring four goals in the next three contests. Two of those came in a wild 15-goal Game 1 thriller against the Minnesota Wild—a game where Makar missed most of the first period after a heavy hit from Marcus Foligno, only to return and light the lamp twice in the second period.
As the playoffs roll on, these stars are making their cases for the Conn Smythe. Whether you're backing the Hurricanes' depth or the Avalanche's resilience, one thing is clear: the race is only getting more exciting.