Updated Conn Smythe Odds Going Into Second Round of 2021 NHL Playoffs

• Updated Conn Smythe odds have been released ahead of Round 2 of the 2021 NHL Playoffs
• Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon is the heavy favorite
• See the top-20 Conn Smythe favorites along with betting advice in the story below

Updated 2021 Conn Smythe odds have been released ahead of Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The trophy is awarded annually to the most valuable player of the NHL postseason.

Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon is a heavy favorite after putting on a clinic in Round 1. Boston’s Tuukka Rask has the best odds of any goalie, while Avs’ blueliner Cale Makar is among the top longshots.

We layout the updated Conn Smythe odds for the top-20 favorites and provide best bets and value longshots.

2021 Conn Smythe Trophy Odds

Odds as of May 29th

MacKinnon The Overwhelming Favorite 

Colorado Avalanche superstar forward Nathan MacKinnon is the overwhelming favorite to win the 2021 Conn Smythe Trophy heading into Round 2. The 25-year-old has seen his odds shorten to +325 after opening at +750 to win the trophy. MacKinnon was electric in Round 1, recording an NHL-leading six goals to help the Avalanche sweep the Blues.

HAT TRICK NATHAN MACKINNON!!! 🎩🎩🎩 #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/dPdqrHxN06

— NHL (@NHL) May 20, 2021

It’s hard to argue with MacKinnon being such a heavy favorite at this point of the postseason. His Avalanche are favored in the Stanley Cup odds and he’s on track to lead the team in postseason scoring. MacKinnon finished top-five in postseason scoring last year despite only making it to the second round.

The only concern betting MacKinnon is that he has to face the powerhouse Vegas Golden Knights in Round 2. Colorado is only listed as -215 favorites to beat the Knights and went 4-4 against them during the regular season. MacKinnon’s six points against Vegas this year was his lowest scoring output against any team (two-way tie).

Rask Leads Impressive Goalie Group 

Is 2021 the year a goalie finally wins the Conn Smythe Trophy again? Oddsmakers like the chances. Boston’s Tuukka Rask is among four talented goalies listed in the top-10 of the updated odds. The last goalie to win the Conn Smythe was Los Angeles’ Kings netminder Jonathan Quick in 2012.

A casual 40-save clincher.#NHLBruins | @tuukkarask pic.twitter.com/oUBT76HIRI

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) May 24, 2021

Rask posted an outstanding .941 save percentage against Washington, but he might not be the best goalie bet on the board. If both Boston and Tampa Bay win their Round 2 series in which they are favored in, it would be Rask vs Andrei Vasilevskiy in Round 2. The Bolts’ netminder had the more consistent regular season and could get more love this time around if he leads his team to another championship.

Philipp Grubauer at +1300 is intriguing, but he’s unlikely to do anything that would outshine MacKinnon. Marc-Andre Fleury (+850) is a great story to root for, but the Avs aren’t an ideal matchup. I’m staying away from goalies heading into Round 2, but Connor Hellebuyck (+2000) is the best value. If he somehow leads his team to three straight upsets, there’ll be no doubting he deserves MVP (even with SCF loss).

Cale Makar Among Best Longshots 

2020 Calder Trophy winner Cale Makar has moved from +3000 to +2000 in the Conn Smythe Trophy odds after recording a goal and three assists in the opening round. Betting the top defenseman on the Stanley Cup favorite is never a bad play, as two of the last six Conn Smythe winners have been blueliners.

Cale Makar is a joy to watch. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/Wu33Ljpfsl

— NHL (@NHL) May 18, 2021

The winner of the Colorado vs Vegas series has a great chance of making the Stanley Cup Final, which means Mark Stone (+1400) should be on your radar. The former Ottawa Senator scored four goals in the opening round and has become one of the league’s best defensive forwards. If Vegas plays spoiler to the Avalanche, Stone will have surely played an important role.

In the East, Sebastian Aho (+1150) is solid value. The Canes don’t have a forward or goalie who has been overly impressive, which means the Conn Smythe is likely going to a forward if Carolina wins it all. Aho recorded seven points (five goals) in Round 1 and produced at a point-per-game rate during the regular season.