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First round playoffs series are in full swing as the 2017 NHL Playoffs are underway. Which means hockey betting is taking place and online bookies are seeing bets on a variety of different things.
And when it’s playoff time in the NHL, it’s definitely time to start looking at players that are the best candidates to win the Conn Smythe Trophy.
This award is presented to the player who is voted on by the members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association was most valuable to his team during the entire NHL playoffs, not just the Finals.
The Conn Smythe does not have to be awarded to a player from the winning team, but in it’s history has never been awarded to a player whose team didn’t at least reach the NHL Finals.
So, let’s take a look at some of the players who hockey bettors may be putting some money on as we look at some odds for Conn Smythe Futures.
As of the time of this article, the Calgary Flames have already been eliminated from the playoffs so no Flame players will be discussed.
Braden Holtby (Washington Capitals) +1000
Goaltenders who have a terrific two-month playoff run have been known to take the Conn Smythe Trophy in the past.
As the goalie for the team that garnered the most points during the regular season, the Capitals have a legitimate shot at the finals this year.
Scoring shouldn’t be a problem for this team, so if Holtby can keep the puck out of the net, he’s got a shot. Holtby is probably a player that will see a lot of betting action.
Max betting limits should be in place, especially if they beat the Leafs this series.
Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) +2000
Crosby is another player that hockey bettors are going to like. He won the award last year and had one of his best scoring years this past season. The biggest problem with Crosby is getting his team to the finals.
The Eastern Conference is loaded and he’ll need to perform each series to get them there.
Sidney Crosby is heavily favored, as are the Penguins. Anything having to do with Crosby should have betting limits in place.
Online bookies don’t want to have to pay out huge should he take the Conn Smythe award home.
Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers) +2000
I wouldn’t apply the term longshot to McDavid, but if his team can get out of the Western Conference, he’ll be the biggest reason why.
At just 19 years old, McDavid already took home the Art Ross trophy as the league’s best scorer and would love to add the Conn Smythe. If you're betting on the most valuable and his team does reach the finals, McDavid could be your pick.
Underdogs
Carey Price (Montreal Canadiens) +2800
If the Canadiens get there, it’s because of Price.
Vladimir Tarasenko (St. Louis Blues) +7500
If you want a true longshot, Tarasenko is your guy, assuming the Blues get there. If you’re an online bookie with a lot of Tarasenko fans, promote him to players.
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