Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.The best playoffs in professional sports begin today, when the NHL postseason kicks off. It's a 16-win war to hoist the Stanley Cup, and the players who make it to the finish line do so with broken bones, collapsed lungs, and injuries you didn't know they had.Of that group of warriors, only one can be named the MVP of the playoffs... the Conn Smythe Trophy winner.Who is the best bet to win, if every team potentially wins?

Here is a breakdown of my favorite MVP bets for all 16 teams — and my five best bets entering the NHL playoffs. Conn Smythe Trophy best betsPlayerOdds Darren Raddysh +25,000 Mikko Rantanen +4,000 Travis Konecny+25,000 Connor McDavid+1,500 Jakob Dobes+25,000img alt="Get a first bet encore up to $800 — no BET99 promo code needed" width="100%" loading="lazy" src="https://img.covers.com/editorial/2026/bet99round1boost.jpeg"Any Canadian team to reach the Second Round of the playoffs is boosted to +100.(not available in Ontario)NHL playoff MVP picks: Eastern Conference Boston Bruins Conn Smythe pick: Jeremy Swayman (+10000)31 W | 2.71 GAA | .907 SV% | +10000 at BET99If the Bruins are going anywhere, it's going to be because of Jeremy Swayman in net.

The offense is not the bright spot on this seven-seed and Swayman has the potential to steal a series... plus he might be a Top-5 goalie in the postseason. Buffalo Sabres Conn Smythe pick: Rasmus Dahlin (+4000)19 G | 55 A | 74 PTS | +4000 at BET99Rasmus Dahlin is getting Norris consideration and is the MVP of this second-seeded Buffalo Sabres team. He led the team in points following the Olympics with eight goals and 18 assists in 23 games and is going to play big minutes for a team that splits up ice time among its forwards.

Carolina Hurricanes Conn Smythe pick: Nikolaj Ehlers (+5000)26 G | 45 A | 71 PTS | +5000 at BET99I'm looking away from the top line, as each player's production will cannibalize one another. Instead, I'll take a PP1 player in Nik Ehlers, who is also playing with Jordan Staal, with the pair possibly having a bigger postseason role and more minutes. BEST BET Montreal Canadiens Conn Smythe pick: Jakob Dobes (+25000)29 W | 2.78 GAA | .901 SV%| +25000 at BET99Although Nick Suzuki at 100/1 is also a very tempting play, I can't say no to a starting goalie who posted a .916 SV% down the stretch... at this inflated price.

He should not be longer than Jacob Fowler, who is +17500. If you really want to back the Montreal Canadiens rookie goaltending, split up your initial wager and place half on Dobes and half on Fowler — Dobes falters and Fowler takes over (and goes on a run), you have that covered at a giant price. Ottawa Senators Conn Smythe pick: Tim Stutzle (+5000)34 G | 49 A | 83 PTS | +5000 at BET99Tim Stutzle is the real offensive threat on this team, and some people love the Senators' chances of making a deep run.

I like Stutzle at a longer price than Brady Tkachuk at 40/1. BEST BET Philadelphia Flyers Conn Smythe pick: Travis Konecny (+25000)27 G | 41 A | 68 PTS | +25000 at BET99This is a monster price, which is still a buy in other places at 175/1. This Flyers team is on a heater and has a tough lineup to match up against.

Travis Konecny should be the team's top offensive performer in the playoffs, as his style of hockey suits the postseason more than Trevor Zegras. Pittsburgh Penguins Conn Smythe pick: Erik Karlsson (+10000)15 G | 51 A | 66 PTS | +10000 at BET99The Penguins role three lines heavily, which cuts into the forwards' playing time, which is why I'm looking at the blue line. Erik Karlsson was one of the hottest players after the Olympics, with 31 points in 24 games, which paced all defensemen — and was tied for ninth among all NHL skaters.

BEST BET Tampa Bay Lightning Conn Smythe pick: Darren Raddysh (+25000)22 G| 48 A | 70 PTS | +25000 at BET99Price is everything, and there is no way that a PP1 D-man on the Lightning should be 250/1. I'd play this number to 100/1. He is the new Victor Hedman, who won this award back in 2020.NHL playoff MVP picks: Western Conference Anaheim Ducks Conn Smythe pick: Cutter Gauthier (+20000)41 G | 28 A | 69 PTS | +20000 at BET99Goals mean more in the playoffs, and getting a 40-goal scorer at 200/1 is an easy choice.

Will the Ducks get past a loaded West? Likely not. However, in the case they do, Cutter Gauthier is my betting favorite to lead this team in playoff goals.

Colorado Avalanche Conn Smythe pick: Scott Wedgewood (+15000)31 W | 2.02 GAA | .921 SV% | +15000 at BET99The Avalanche have a good goalie problem, and with the way Scott Wedgewood played down the stretch, while leading the league in GAA and SV%, I think he gets the Game 1 nod. The good thing for bettors here is that Mackenzie Blackwood is also 150/1, so splitting up a wager on both goalies gets you covered with the Stanley Cup Odds favorite. BEST BET Dallas Stars Conn Smythe pick: Mikko Rantanen (+4000)22 G | 55 A | 77 PTS | +4000