Stanley Cup Final MVP Odds: Mitch Marner Leads the Way After Game 1

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Written By Nick Crain | Published at June 3, 2026
Jun 2, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner (93) skates between play during the second period against the Carolina Hurricanes in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

The Stanley Cup Final is officially underway, and the Vegas Golden Knights took a 1-0 series lead over the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night. Not only is Vegas up 1-0, but it also stole home-ice advantage away from Carolina, putting all of the pressure on the Hurricanes entering Game 2 on Thursday.

Beyond the race for the Stanley Cup itself, one of the NHL’s most prestigious individual awards is also on the line. The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually to the most valuable player of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and FanDuel has released its latest odds following Game 1.

While there’s still plenty of hockey left to be played and these odds will undoubtedly continue to move throughout the series, Mitch Marner of the Golden Knights currently sits atop the board, followed by Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen. This is one of the best individual futures bets to consider when evaluating NHL Stanley Cup Finals bets.

Current Conn Smythe Trophy odds via FanDuel:

It’s not all that surprising to see Marner leading the way. This award almost always goes to a player from the team that wins the Stanley Cup, and with Vegas now holding a 1-0 series lead, Marner naturally gains an advantage over Andersen and the rest of Carolina’s contenders.

Marner has been one of the most productive offensive players throughout the postseason and has delivered several huge moments during Vegas’ playoff run. If the Golden Knights ultimately finish the job and capture another Stanley Cup, it’s easy to see why oddsmakers view him as the most likely Conn Smythe winner.

That said, it’s important to consider Jack Eichel at +1000. While Marner is the favorite, Eichel may offer better value from a betting perspective. One of the biggest stars in the sport and a key piece of Team USA’s recent Olympic success, Eichel now has an opportunity to add a Stanley Cup to his résumé. A strong finish to the Final could quickly vault him into the center of the Conn Smythe conversation.

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On Carolina’s side, Andersen remains the clear favorite. That makes plenty of sense considering how important he’s been throughout the Hurricanes’ playoff run. Goaltenders are often rewarded when they’re viewed as the primary reason a team reaches the finish line, and Andersen certainly fits that description. If he can shut off the Golden Knights' scoring attack and lead the Hurricanes to a series win, that would be worthy of this honor.

However, don’t overlook Taylor Hall and Logan Stankoven. Both players have been tremendous offensive contributors throughout the postseason and remain firmly in the mix. If either player catches fire during the Final and helps lead Carolina back into the series, their candidacies could gain serious momentum.

Ultimately, the betting market views Marner as the player most likely to win the Conn Smythe Trophy. But if Carolina is able to recover from the Game 1 loss and come back to win the Stanley Cup, Andersen appears to be the most likely Hurricane to take home playoff MVP honors.

That’s what makes this race so compelling. Legacies can be defined by just four wins, and a single dominant performance or a dramatic shift in the series can completely reshape the Conn Smythe conversation. With potentially six games remaining, there’s still plenty of time for these odds to change.

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