The Stanley Cup final is now down to a best two out of three following the Carolina Hurricanes’ 5-3 win on Thursday night over the Golden Knights. The series is tied at two games apiece. Canes captain Jordan Staal scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner in the third period, breaking a 3-3 deadlock. Nikolaj Ehlers sealed with an empty net goal for the 5-3 win. 

Staal became the fourth player in Stanley Cup history to have scored a goal in each of the first four games to start the series. His five goals in the Cup Final lead all players, one more than the Knights’ Brett Howden, who is next up with four goals. Staal was as much as 175/1 prior to scoring his second goal of the game and currently sits at 6/1 (FanDuel). 

Unlike the NBA, which has an award for just the Finals, the Conn Smythe Trophy is for the entire postseason. Staal’s seven goals and 11 points are seven points less than the team leaders, Taylor Hall and Jackson Blake. The Canes’ Logan Stankoven (+390) leads the team in goals with 11 after scoring in Game Four. Carolina is now a perfect 10-0 in the postseason when he finds the back of the net. The Canes have not had a consistent standout player throughout. With that in mind, it does open the door for Staal to win the award as he is playing his best hockey of the playoffs in the most important series of the playoffs.

Embed from Getty Images

Vegas’ Mitch Marner continues to be the favorite (-105). His 10 goals and 29 points lead all players in scoring. He has a nine-point lead on teammate Jack Eichel (100/1) and an 11-point lead on the Canes’ leading scorers. Also at 100/1 is the Golden Knights, Brett Howden. Howden scored his playoff-leading 14th goal on Tuesday. He has three shorthanded goals, three game-winning goals, with one of the game winners coming in overtime. Now, with the series tied at two and Carolina having home ice advantage, the value is gone with Mitch Marner for Conn Smythe. The better play is Vegas to win the series (+126/FanDuel). 

If you are inclined to grab a Vegas player, Brett Howden (100/1) would be my top choice. Knights defenseman Shea Theodore has had an outstanding playoff as well (six goals, 11 assists), and at 250/1, he is worth a “pizza money” wager.

The post Updated NHL Conn Smythe Trophy Best Bets appeared first on VSiN.