Hurricanes Star Suddenly Jumps Into Conn Smythe Spotlight

The Conn Smythe race usually belongs to the obvious suspects, but this one has a way of rewarding the player who tilts every shift when the pressure gets heavy. Mitch Marner is in the conversation, but the buzz around Carolina is starting to point elsewhere as the postseason grind sharpens the focus. When a Hurricanes star starts stacking impact moments this late, the room notices, the bench notices, and so do the people trying to handicap a playoff trophy no one ever predicts cleanly.