Carolina Hurricanes Have Multiple Conn Smythe Favorites After 2 Rounds – Hockey Writers – Carolina Hurricanes

When it comes to the Conn Smythe Trophy, there are usually one or two players who make a strong case, even if it’s only two rounds. As for the Carolina Hurricanes, they have many players making an early case to be the favorites. Between the second line and goalie, there’s a lot to talk about when it comes to these four players in Raleigh.

Taylor Hall

The first name that comes to mind is Taylor Hall, who has been playing like his MVP-like self since 2018. Through eight games, he leads the Hurricanes in assists (nine), points (12), and plus/minus with a plus-10. In addition, it is tied for seventh in points and tied for sixth in assists among all skaters. In Round 2 alone against the Philadelphia Flyers, he had four assists, five points, and was a plus-5, along with the game-winning goal in Game 2.

Since Hall joined Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake, he has seamlessly retooled the clock and is playing at a Hart Trophy level. Especially in the playoffs, he is part of the hottest line in hockey, which has combined for 31 points in eight games and is a combined plus-25. Whether it’s making a stop, scoring a goal, or making a key defensive play, Hall has done more for the Hurricanes in his second playoff appearance in Raleigh.

Even his teammates know how important Hall has been to them this offseason. After scoring the overtime winner in Game 2 against the Flyers, Seth Jarvis said, “He was unbelievable. More important than his goal was his third-down block with seconds left. You never know what happens there. For him to put his body on the line, and to be rewarded with a goal, I couldn’t be happier for the guy.”

It’s no wonder how popular Hall is in the locker room. After joining the team in 2025 in a three-team trade with the Colorado Avalanche and Chicago Blackhawks, Hall has come in like he’s been here for five seasons, not a season and a half. Although Mitch Marner led all players with 16 points, and Jack Eichel had 14 assists, they had to play 11 games to get there. Hall has nine assists and 12 points in eight games.

Jackson Blake

When it comes to Blake, he is someone who took his game to the next level in the playoffs. After tallying three goals and six points in 15 games during the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, he already has four goals, seven assists and 11 points. He also ranked fourth on the team with a plus-7.

Regarding all skaters in the playoffs, Blake is tied for ninth in points with Martin Necas and 10 in assists, one behind Lane Hutson. In his second tournament ever, Blake was champion of Rod Brind’Amour’s team. Not only did he become the youngest player in Hurricanes history to score a series-winning goal, but he was also named the NHLPA Playoff Performer of the Series. Against the Flyers, he had three multi-point games. He averaged 1.75 points per game and had six rebounds. Both of those categories led the team, with the first star in Game 4 and the second star in Game 1.

After scoring the game-winning goal in Game 4, Blake said, “A lot went into that goal. Slavo made an unbelievable play. And then Stanks in the middle drove those two defenders back. Halsy made a play that a lot of people wouldn’t make there. Luckily, I got the bounce and it went in…”

While Hall may have the slight edge when it comes to Conn Smythe discussions, there’s a case to be made for Blake, as his all-around play has put him in the conversation. Although he doesn’t lead the Hurricanes in goals, assists, points, or plus/minus, Blake has shown that his game has taken another level and is evenly distributed with his production.

Logan Stankoven

Sandwiching between the Hurricanes’ two big players is the hot-tempered Stankoven, who keeps hitting at will. While he has eight points, he leads the team in goals (seven) and is tied for the lead with Nathan MacKinnon, Matt Boldy, Brett Howden, and Pavel Dorofeyev. Stankoven even had a 13-point streak, which started in the regular season and continued into the playoffs. He scored in all four games of Round 1 against the Ottawa Senators. In addition, he scored the opening goal in the first three games.

Stankoven scored 21 goals in the regular season, but he could have easily scored 25 if it weren’t for the puck not getting to him. However, since the playoffs started, he can’t stop scoring. He scored two goals in Game 1 of Round 2 before being part of three goals in Game 4 to send the Hurricanes to the Eastern Conference finals. Stankoven has been one of the best scorers in the playoffs, and it seems like no matter where he shoots, the puck goes into the net.

After scoring a goal in Game 4 to help the Hurricanes into the third round, Stankoven said, “I thought the first half, I didn’t play well, just individually. We talked about it as a line at halftime; we should have been easy. Even if we don’t score, we’re just trying to create momentum and shifts in the O-zone. We did it, and we were able to come back a few times.”

The fact that he scored seven of 14 goals speaks volumes for how big he was on that line and for the Hurricanes in eight playoff games. It’s amazing to think that he has almost a point per game in goals. When it comes to the second line as a whole, all three guys of Stankoven, Hall, and Blake could have a Conn Smythe case.

Between Stankoven’s goals, Hall’s points and assists, and Blake’s all-around contributions, those three are Carolina’s best offensive line. All of this being said, the Hurricanes won’t win eight again without some incredible performances at the crease.

Frederik Andersen

What can you learn about Frederik Andersen? Aside from his career-best eight playoff wins, 1.12 goals-against average (GAA), .950 save percentage (SV%), and two shutouts, Andersen plays another country in another universe. He is the best goaltender in the playoffs by a wide margin. It’s surprising after his regular season statistically. However, he has done a complete 180 degrees and is playing at a Vezina level.

The fact that he is 8-0-0 is impressive given how well he has played, as well as allowing two goals or less in every start. In addition, he allowed just 10 goals in over 537 minutes of ice time. In the second round alone, Andersen went 4-0-0 with a 1.14 GAA and a .945 SV%. He averaged 21.5 saves a game while allowing just 1.3 goals on average in four games. He was the epitome of a brick wall in the open.

Of the four Hurricanes players, Andersen could make the most sense if he can continue to score points and be strong at the crease. It would be interesting if he could stay in the high .900 SV% range, while allowing two goals or less per game. However, if he is in that category, it will be hard not to select the Danish netminder who has been a strong presence in the Hurricanes’ playoffs since joining the team in 2022.

When it comes down to it, all four players make their cases the early favorites for the Conn Smythe Trophy after two rounds. While there’s still a lot of hockey to be played, it’s not too early to speculate who could be the Playoff MVP with the start these guys have had to start the postseason. If the Hurricanes make the Stanley Cup Final with these four continuing to lead, watch out for other hardware that could make it to Raleigh.