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May 30, 2016

Vegas has Kessel as Conn Smythe co-favourite

Pittsburgh winger Phil Kessel leads the Eastern Conference champion Penguins in both goals and points this postseason and according to Las Vegas oddsmakers, he is firmly planted in the Conn Smythe Trophy conversation.

Phil Kessel

PITTSBURGH - The question dribbled out and Phil Kessel shook his head.

Even now, six weeks into the chase, the idea that Kessel could be a Conn Smythe Trophy candidate sounds foreign to him, too.

“I’m just going out there, trying to play my game and trying to help the team win any way I can,” Kessel said about the Conn Smythe. “I think I have to produce.”

Kessel, 28, leads the Eastern Conference champion Penguins in both goals and points. His playoff prowess wasn’t enough to earn him a spot on Team USA’s World Cup of Hockey entry, but he is firmly planted in the Conn Smythe Trophy conversation.

“I’ve always put up decent numbers,” Kessel said. “Sometimes, in the regular season, it doesn’t go well for stretches. That’s part of the game. In the playoffs, every game matters and you have to show up for every one.”

Ferraro: Can't believe Phil Kessel wasn't named to Team USA

NHL insider Ray Ferraro joins BMac, Donnie & the Moj & says the notable omissions from the U.S & Canadian World Cup of Hockey rosters include Phil Kessel & Taylor Hall. Ray also wondered if it would be out of the question for Ken Hitchcock to sign a one year deal to remain as head coach of the St. Louis Blues.

Last year, Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Duncan Keith entered the Stanley Cup final as the prohibitive favourite for the Conn Smythe, awarded to the player judged most valuable to his team during the entire Stanley Cup playoffs.

This year, it remains wide open. Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby opened as the favourite when the playoffs began on April 12.

Here are the latest odds, according to SportsBook.ag:
 

The Conn Smythe Race

Joe Pavelski Marc-Edouard Vlasic
Joe Pavelski

San Jose Sharks

Playoff Stats

  • GP
    18
  • G
    13
  • A
    9
  • PTS
    22
  • Odds
    9-2
Skinny: Pavelski has four more goals than any player remaining in the playoffs.
Phil Kessel
Phil Kessel

Pittsburgh Penguins

Playoff Stats

  • GP
    18
  • G
    9
  • A
    9
  • PTS
    18
  • Odds
    9-2

Skinny: Kessel now has 39 points in 40 career playoff games, one of the few active players hovering near a point-per-game average.

Matt Murray
Matt Murray

Pittsburgh Penguins

Playoff Stats

  • Starts
    15
  • Record
    11-4
  • GAA
    2.21
  • SV%
    .924
  • Odds
    5-1

Skinny: Bounced back for Game 7 win, Penguins might’ve won East in six games if Marc-Andre Fleury didn’t start Game 5.

Sidney Crosby
Sidney Crosby

Pittsburgh Penguins

Playoff Stats

  • GP
    18
  • G
    6
  • A
    9
  • PTS
    15
  • Odds
    5-1

Skinny: Crosby is Pittsburgh’s most complete player, but has been quiet for long stretches these playoffs. His three game-winning goals in Eastern Conference final will earn votes.

Logan Couture
Logan Couture

San Jose Sharks

Playoff Stats

  • GP
    18
  • G
    8
  • A
    16
  • PTS
    24
  • Odds
    11-2

Skinny: Couture quietly leads all playoff scorers with 24 points; his 16 assists match Crosby’s point total for the entire playoffs.

Martin Jones
Martin Jones

San Jose Sharks

Playoff Stats

  • Starts
    18
  • Record
    12-6
  • GAA
    2.12
  • SV%
    .919
  • Odds
    7-1

Skinny: It’s hard to imagine now, but there was some debate as to whether Jones or James Reimer would be San Jose’s Game 1 starter in April after a shaky finish to the regular season.

Brent Burns
Brent Burns

San Jose Sharks

Playoff Stats

  • GP
    18
  • G
    6
  • A
    14
  • PTS
    20
  • Odds
    7-1

Skinny: San Jose’s ultimate rover is finally getting the respect he deserves as one of the NHL’s best all-around defencemen.

Joe Thornton
Joe Thornton

San Jose Sharks

Playoff Stats

  • GP
    18
  • G
    3
  • A
    15
  • PTS
    18
  • Odds
    7-1

Skinny: Thornton is one off the assist lead for the playoffs, capping off his best regular season since 2010.

Evgeni Malkin
Evgeni Malkin

Pittsburgh Penguins

Playoff Stats

  • GP
    17
  • G
    4
  • A
    11
  • PTS
    15
  • Odds
    8-1

Skinny: Malkin has been too inconsistent for too long to earn a vote from me, but he took over Games 6 and 7 for the Penguins in the East final to setup an interesting final round.

Kris Letang and Darren Helm
Kris Letang

Pittsburgh Penguins

Playoff Stats

  • GP
    17
  • G
    2
  • A
    8
  • PTS
    10
  • Odds
    20-1

Skinny: Letang’s temper has gotten the best of him on some nights, and he’s struggled in his own end others, but he has helped cover for the loss of Trevor Daley on the blueline.

Marc-Edouard Vlasic
Marc-Edouard Vlasic

San Jose Sharks

Playoff Stats

  • GP
    18
  • G
    1
  • A
    11
  • PTS
    12
  • Odds
    40-1

Skinny: The ultimate longshot on the board, Vlasic held Vladimir Tarasenko to two garbage time goals in the West final, and he will now be asked to shut down Crosby.

By: Frank Seravalli, TSN Senior Hockey Reporter