Based on the Conn Smythe Trophy’s odds outlook heading into Monday’s Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, Edmonton’s Connor McDavid was winning the series MVP, win or lose.
And while it eventually turned out that way - even after a 2-1 loss to the champion Florida Panthers — oddsmakers took bettors on a live wagering adventure.
At times, it looked like McDavid might not pull off what was believed to be inevitable, and it could’ve led to some nice in-game profits.
FanDuel Canada Trading Team told Covers that “interesting action” occurred during and even after the game.
“McDavid’s Conn Smythe odds were at -3,400 and moved to -175 during the game,” a FanDuel spokesperson said. “Due to the tight score, Florida’s Aleksander Barkov saw significant interest at +1,200 for him to win the Conn Smythe Trophy.”
After his team lost Game 3, the Edmonton center’s odds of winning the award went to +1,600. Even with those odds and McDavid winning the honor, he wasn’t FanDuel’s biggest liability.
Market drop
Brandon DuBreuil, Covers head of content, noticed and documented the incredible drop in Conn Smythe Trophy odds during Game 7.
Connor McDavid was -4000 after Friday night’s game to win the Conn Smythe.
— Brandon DuBreuil (@CoversBDB) June 25, 2024
He was trading at the same price this morning.
Now with one period left, he’s -400.
🤔 pic.twitter.com/cAGpDeJ2gT
Following a 1-1 tie after the first period, the Panthers took the lead on Sam Reinhart’s goal at the 15:11 mark of the second period. During the second intermission, McDavid, who was -4000 at one point to capture the MVP award, plummeted to -400.
With 10:36 to play, the odds fell to -260. Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky denied an onslaught of Edmonton shots throughout the final period and surged to +150.
At that time, McDavid, who was being blanketed by Florida’s defense much of the night, fell to -195.
McDavid ended up not recording a goal or an assist in game 7, as Edmonton’s attempt to come back from a 3-0 series deficit and win the Stanley Cup in the final game fell short. The 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs are the only team in NHL history to have ever accomplished the feat.
Infrequent recipient
McDavid's lack of impact in the final game led to market fluctuations but ultimately, his case was too strong for voters to deny him.
The Oilers captain became the sixth player in NHL history from the losing team to be named a Conn Smythe Trophy recipient and the first skater since Reggie Leach with the 1976 Philadelphia Flyers.
Goalies Jean-Sebastien Giguere of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2003), Ron Hextall of the Flyers (1987), Glenn Hall of the St. Louis Blues (1968), and Roger Crozier of the Detroit Red Wings (1966) also won the Conn Smythe but not the Stanley Cup.
McDavid produced 42 points in 25 playoff games, including 11 points in the seven-game series. Only Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux recorded more points in a single playoff.
He also had three goals and five assists from Games 4 and 5 combined to keep the Oilers’ season alive twice, but the Conn Smythe Trophy is sure to be just a consolation prize for one of the NHL’s biggest stars.
