Four NHL teams remain in Stanley Cup chase as Conn Smythe voting begins

Four teams remain in the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs, narrowing the field of candidates for the Conn Smythe Trophy awarded to the postseason's most valuable player. The award is voted on by an 18-person panel of Professional Hockey Writers Association members and covers performance across the entire postseason.

Frederik Andersen, goaltender for the Carolina Hurricanes, leads early polling. 12 goals-against average. 2 goals saved above expected, according to Money Puck data, the highest mark among playoff goaltenders.

Mitch Marner of the Vegas Golden Knights ranks second in the polled ballots. He leads all players with points through two rounds and has recorded four short-handed points. Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche ranks third. He has 13 points, including seven goals, in nine games.

Logan Stankoven of the Carolina Hurricanes and Jakub Dobes of the Montreal Canadiens also received votes in the survey of more than a dozen writers.