The Stanley Cup Final pits the Carolina Hurricanes against the Vegas Golden Knights, and the Conn Smythe Trophy will go to the player who excelled over the entire postseason. Voters from the Professional Hockey Writers Association have already narrowed the field to eight names, with a handful appearing on most ballots. Mitch Marner leads the vote count, having featured on all but one ballot.

Jack Eichel sits second in overall playoff points with 18, including a postseason‑best 16 assists, and his clutch play helped Vegas reach the Final. Carolina’s Logan Stankoven follows, tallying nine goals—seven at even strength—and forming the league’s most dominant line with Taylor Hall and Jackson Blake. Veteran goaltender Frederik Andersen boasts a .931 save percentage and a 1.41 GAA, making him a strong contender despite the emotional weight of his agent’s recent death.

Vegas forward Mitch Marner tops the scoring chart with 21 points in 16 games, adding a league‑leading four shorthanded points and solidifying his redemption narrative after years of playoff disappointment in Toronto. If the Knights capture the Cup and Marner maintains his production, he is the favorite to lift the Conn Smythe Trophy. The award will ultimately reflect which performer shaped the series the most.