The Vegas Golden Knights are four wins away from their second Stanley Cup in nine seasons, and goaltender Carter Hart has been a major part of that run.
The veteran netminder just posted a .944 SV% in a four-game sweep of the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche.
Despite the strong numbers and Vegas already securing a spot in the Stanley Cup Final, Hart remains well down the Conn Smythe oddsboard.
Here's why you shouldn't put your money on Hart to win this award.
Carter Hart Conn Smythe odds
At +2100, Carter Hart trails teammates Jack Eichel (+1900) and Mitch Marner (+180), along with Carolina Hurricanes players such as Logan Stankoven (+950), Taylor Hall (+675), and Frederik Andersen (+270) by the odds at BET99.
“A number of Golden Knights players have steadily climbed the odds board, with favourite Mitch Marner (+175) drawing the lion’s share of bets among Vegas backers. Jack Eichel and Carter Hart follow at +2100 apiece. Early Hart supporters were able to secure prices as high as 75-1 before he was thrust into the spotlight following the Knights’ surprising sweep of Colorado.”
— Cliff Adelman, North American Sportsbook Manager, BET99
Since 2013, only one goalie has won the Conn Smythe — Tampa Bay's Andrei Vasilevskiy in 2021. That postseason, he went 16-9 SU with a 2.11 GAA, .931 SV%, and 1.149 GSAx/60. Hart currently owns a 2.22 GAA with a .922 SV% and 0.463 GSAx/60.
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Can Carter Hart win the Conn Smythe?
There is certainly an argument that Hart should be priced shorter, despite not putting up playoff MVP numbers like goalies before him. However, Conn Smythe voting is unique because it is decided by 18 members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA), with ballots cast on a 5-3-1 basis, and made public after voting concludes.
Hart was previously involved in a highly publicized legal case related to sexual assault allegations and was later acquitted following a trial. While he has returned to the NHL and earned his opportunity with Vegas, it is reasonable to believe that some voters may still be hesitant to place a first-place Conn Smythe vote beside his name in a transparent voting process.
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Should you bet Carter Hart to win the Conn Smythe?
That does not mean Hart cannot win the award, nor does it diminish how well he has played this postseason. It simply creates an additional hurdle for bettors compared to other candidates.
From a betting perspective, that uncertainty matters. Hart may continue to deliver elite results, but this is a case of Conn Smythe futures not being based strictly on on-ice performance alone.
The price may look tempting, but it is difficult to say he is being evaluated on the same scale as the rest of the field, which should make this a pass at the current odds.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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