Tag: Nathan MacKinnon

Avalanche’s Cale Makar, the best player on the best team, was the only logical choice for Conn Smythe

The best player on the best team. The math here was easy.

The Avalanche beat the Lightning 2-1 to win the Stanley Cup on Sunday night, and their return to glory never would’ve happened if not for one man.

We’re talking about Colorado’s (-115) Norris Trophy defenseman and their inarguable best player. That same incomparable player who is now the official winner of the 2022 Conn Smythe Award (awarded annually to the NHL postseason MVP): the 23-year-old wunderkind blueliner, Cale Makar.

Here are some fun facts about Makar’s first Conn Smythe:

  • Makar becomes just the third defenseman in NHL history to win the Norris and the Conn Smythe in one season after the Bruins’ Bobby Orr (1970, 1972) and the Red Wings’ Nicklas Lidstrom (2002) previously managed the rare feat.
  • His 29 points are the fourth-highest ever by any defenseman during the postseason
  • Makar is the youngest defenseman to win the Conn Smythe in 52 years, with Orr first winning it at 22

Makar winning this year’s Conn Smythe should be no surprise to anyone who’s paid attention to Colorado’s exploits all year long. He was their catalyst when the Avalanche finished first in the Central Division and the Western Conference during the regular season. He was not only their premier shutdown man playing almost half of every game but their primary offensive initiator for a team that loves to get out and skate in transition.

When it came time for the Avalanche to make some memories in the postseason, it was business as usual for Makar — who continued his excellence seamlessly.

Colorado powered through a postseason slate of opponents that featured such stars as Roman Josi, Vladimir Tarasenko, Connor McDavid, and Nikita Kucherov, specifically because of Makar. Whenever the Avs needed an answer for any sort of play in his own end or as the de facto quarterback on offense, Makar was there in a pinch. Their forwards like Nathan MacKinnon and captain Gabriel Landeskog might get all the headlines, but it’s Makar who stirs the drink.

No team goes 16-4 throughout a postseason, especially one as chaotic as the NHL’s, without a budding all-time great on the blueliner. And that’s what Makar is — a budding all-time great.

The young defenseman got his first Norris Trophy and Conn Smythe this year. Given how his magnificent career has started, they almost certainly won’t be the last.

Here’s how NHL fans reacted to Makar’s historic, deserved Conn Smythe victory.

Conn Smythe rankings, Stanley Cup Final Game 5: Cale Makar in line for more greatness

The NHL’s leading superstar defenseman will likely get even more flowers.

After the high adrenaline, controversial mess that was Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, Friday night at Ball Arena will mark the first time the Cup will be in the building for someone to take home.

That team is, of course, the Colorado Avalanche, which holds a commanding 3-1 series lead after its contentious overtime winner. Should Colorado dispatch the two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday, they will have won their first Stanley Cup in over two decades. I can practically feel the goosebumps forming on my forearms.

With the Avs on the brink of such greatness, the underlying debate over who is most responsible for their playoff success will only heat up through the evening. Odds-makers with Tipico Sportsbook have a clear idea about a certain Colorado defenseman, but by no means are his teammates out of the picture for the postseason MVP award.

Let’s examine the current odds for the Conn Smythe with the Avalanche one win away from the Cup.

Stanley Cup Final prop bet payday: 3 prop bet predictions for Game 4

Highlighting 3 prop bet predictions for Game 4 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final between the Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Colorado Avalanche try to rebound against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final Wednesday at Amalie Arena in Tampa. Colorado leads the series 2-1. Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN+).

Below, we list the best value prop bets from Tipico Sportsbook‘s 2022 Stanley Cup Final Game 4 odds and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.

Tampa blew out the Avs 6-2 in Game 3, in a game the Avs led 1-0 midway through the 1st period. Colorado temporarily took a 1-0 lead on a challenged goal that was called back due to an offsides. The Avs broke through again on a power-play goal to go up 1-0. But Tampa didn’t panic and erupted for all 6 goals in the next 25 minutes of action. How will Colorado respond?

Also see: Game 4 odds, picks and predictions

Stanley Cup Final prop bets for Game 4

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated 1:02 p.m. ET.

Light(ning) Up the Night: Lightning to Score 4+ Goals & Win: Yes BOOSTED to (+235)

This is a special, BOOSTED opportunity to more than double up on what we foresee Tampa winning in the range of 4-2 or 4-3. While it’s not a slam dunk, man it has value. Colorado was vastly outplayed and put 2 on the board in Game 3. So Tampa will probably need to net 4 to win again.

I Have the Power!: Nathan MacKinnon to Record 1+ Power Play Points BOOSTED to (+160)

This didn’t hit in Game 1, but both of the Avalanche’s goals were on the power play. They converted 2 of 4 PPs and are absolutely lethal when it comes to the extra man. Go lightly here as the Lightning know they have to limit penalties.

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Regulation time winner (incl. tie) and Total Goals: Lightning & Over 5.5 (+310)

As mentioned, you can count on the Avs to score at least 2 goals in the game, and Tampa will have to score 3 or 4 to win. This is a great chance to more than triple up if the Bolts can prevail again. Tampa does not want to go down 3-1 because then this series probably ends in Game 5 in Colorado. Look for the Lightning to storm out with a concerted effort to light the lamp again.

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Conn Smythe tracker after Stanley Cup Final Game 2: Can anyone dethrone Cale Makar?

Makar could soon be the king of the Cup champion.

Oh boy, after that complete evisceration, where do I even begin?

Let’s try this: On Saturday night, the Avalanche and Lightning took each other on in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, and Colorado took a 2-0 series lead. Cale Makar had–

Hmm, no. I feel like I’m underselling it.

Another attempt: On Saturday night, the Avalanche (-160) positively demolished the two-time defending Cup champion Lightning, 7-0. They got off to a fast start, never looked back, and continued to enjoy more Blink 182.  The series feels over, and Colorado is the NHL’s new overlord.

Ah, there, that’s better.

With the Avs now two wins from the Cup, the discussion around their playoff MVP, the Conn Smythe winner, will only heat up. I have to say: I’ll be surprised if anyone snatches it from a superstar like Makar. The man at the forefront of one of the great team defensive performances we might have ever seen.

But, you never know. Let’s see where the race for the Conn Smythe stands after two games of the Cup Final. Spoiler alert: A big Avalanche has fallen on this list.

Conn Smythe tracker after Stanley Cup Final Game 1: Cale Makar is NHL’s next great D-man

We could be looking at the NHL’s next special blueliner.

Every great NHL team has two common characteristics: at least one great No. 1 center and at least one great No. 1 defenseman.

The Colorado Avalanche are in the Stanley Cup Final against the two-time defending champs in the Lightning (-1.5), so it’s obvious they’re pretty good. But they wouldn’t be here, and they wouldn’t be three wins away from the franchise’s first Cup in more than two decades if it weren’t for their top center Nathan MacKinnon and top defenseman Cale Makar.

As we get set for the rest of this potential barnburner of a series, it’s these two superstars who lead the way for the NHL’s top postseason honor: The Conn Smythe Trophy.

But before this series gets really heated, who else is in line for the prestigious award? Let’s dive in!

Stanley Cup Final prop bet payday: 4 prop bet predictions for Game 1

Highlighting 4 prop bet predictions for Game 1 of the 2022 Stanly Cup Final between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Colorado Avalanche.

The Tampa Bay Lightning throw down against the Colorado Avalanche in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals Wednesday at Ball Arena in Denver. Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN+).

Below, we list the best value prop bets from Tipico Sportsbook‘s 2022 Stanley Cup Final Game 1 odds and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.

The Lightning are flirting with history trying to become the first team to threepeat since the New York Islanders won from 1980-84. Colorado, the heavy favorite, has an infusion of young talent that appears ready to hoist the Cup and start a dynasty of its own.

Stanley Cup Final prop bets for Game 1

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated 12:13 p.m. ET.

Starting off Game 1 HOT: Nathan MacKinnon & Steven Stamkos to both score BOOSTED (+500)

Stamkos scored 5 goals in the Eastern Conference Finals and netted a goal in 4 of 6 games. The Lightning scored 31 goals in the series, and Stamkos accounted for 31% of them. He also scored 1 goal in 2 games against Colorado in the regular season. There’s a lot to like on his side of this wager. MacKinnon had a tough series against the St. Louis Blues as he scored in 1 of 6 games, but he scored in 7 of the 8 games in the other two series. He had 1 goal and 2 assists against Tampa in the 3rd game of the regular season. This is a solid bet where $10 can return $50.

Conn Smyth Trophy Winner – Nathan MacKinnon (+210)

Avs D Cale Makar (+180) is the favorite, and he has 4 more points than MacKinnon in the playoffs. However, MacKinnon has had more impactful moments. That goal he scored, coast to coast, to tie the game against the St. Louis Blues in Game 5 would have been iconic if they hadn’t lost that game. MacKinnon has the ability to put the team on his back, whereas Makar is a super-gifted player that just pitches in more often than most. If the Avs win, it’s because of the playmaking and game-breaking ability of MacKinnon.

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Colorado Wins Series 4-2 (+425)

Barring injury, Tampa doesn’t have enough offensively to beat the Avs, and they’ll expend so much energy defensively trying to contain them it will prove too much. That said, Tampa has lost only once on home ice in the playoffs. They will lose another, maybe in Game 6 to decide it. If you want to hedge and put a wager on Colorado Wins Series 4-1 (+380) for some leeway, you’ll still be ahead if either of them cash.

Avalanche (in regulation) & Over 5.5 (+230)

Our Kevin Erickson pegged this a 4-3 Avs win, and that seems pretty reasonable. Colorado is the highest-scoring offense in the playoffs at nearly 5 goals per game, but it has had a lengthy layoff as well and will face its biggest task in Lightning G Andrei Vasilevskiy. We should see 6 goals and an Avs win in Game 1.

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Ryan Dodson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

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Nathan MacKinnon capped off Game 5 hat trick with sensational goal that decimated the Blues defense

HOLY COW, NATHAN MACKINNON!

Nathan MacKinnon just did that.

Wednesday night’s Game 5 between the Colorado Avalanche and the St. Louis Blues was a chaotic one, with the Blues on the brink of elimination from the second round. The Avalanche took a 3-0 lead halfway through the game, but the Blues were able to slowly chip away at it before tying it up 3-3 in the final five minutes of the third.

Then, something remarkable happened. MacKinnon — who already had two goals on the night — sliced and diced his way through the Blues defense. The result? A sensational coast-to-coast goal that MacKinnon finished with a silky smooth deke around a Blues defenseman before lifting the puck up and over Ville Husso for the 4-3 lead.

Wow. Seriously… wow. Have some more looks at that beauty of a goal.

While the Blues were able to tie up the game 4-4 late with the goaltender pulled to send the game into overtime, MacKinnon’s tally to cap off his hat trick is, without a doubt, the play of the game.

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Nathan MacKinnon threw Coyotes’ Conor Garland own helmet at him and became a meme

Who throws a helmet? Honestly!!

Who throws a helmet? Honestly!!

It’s Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon. On Wednesday night, in the third period of Colorado’s 9-3 (!) win over the Arizona Coyotes, MacKinnon got into it in the corner with Conor Garland. After a tussle, Garland’s helmet came off, MacKinnon picked it up and fired it at Garland’s face.

That should earn MacKinnon — who earned a double minor for roughing and then a 10-minute miscounduct — a suspension for sure. You can’t do that.

But of course Twitter turned it into a meme, and that’s what we’ve got for you here. First, here’s video of the play that the NHL world is talking about:

And the memes:

https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1377477321167360002

BONK.

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