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Pekka Rinne begins Stanley Cup Final as the Conn Smythe favorite

Chicago Blackhawks v Nashville Predators - Game Four

NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 20: Goalie Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators skates onto the ice as the first star of the game after a 4-1 victory in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round against the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 20, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)

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Pekka Rinne enters the Stanley Cup Final as the favorite to capture the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP, according to odds released by Bovada.

No surprise.

The Predators have gone on a terrific run this postseason, hitting the high expectations laid out for them prior to the start of the season. There have been many reasons for their success this spring, most notably the play of Rinne in goal.

He started the playoffs with consecutive shutouts versus the Blackhawks and then only gave up three goals in the final two games as Nashville swept Chicago, considered the Stanley Cup favorite when the playoffs began, in the opening round.

Rinne has continued to roll, with a .941 save percentage throughout the entire playoffs, while Nashville has allowed only 29 goals in 16 games.

Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are also near the top of that list for the Conn Smythe odds. Crosby is the reigning Conn Smythe winner, while Malkin leads all players with 24 points in 19 playoff games.

Here are the odds, via Bovada:

Pekka Rinne 9/4

Sidney Crosby 5/2

Evgeni Malkin 7/2

Matt Murray 9/1

Filip Forsberg 10/1

Phil Kessel 10/1

PK Subban 16/1

Roman Josi 25/1

Viktor Arvidsson 33/1

Ryan Ellis 33/1

Jake Guentzel 33/1

Chris Kunitz 33/1

Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final is Monday in Pittsburgh. After winning it all a year ago, the Penguins enter the series as the favorites against the Predators.

Related: Pekka Rinne has been the backbone for the Predators during run to the final