The Three-Headed Monster Leading the Vezina Trophy Odds
The 2020 Vezina Trophy race is heating up as the NHL season heads into the second half. There are a few goalies at the top of the power rankings for the Vezina, but no
one can be counted out due to the fickle nature of goaltending.
The Vezina Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League‘s goaltender who is “adjudged to be the best at this position.” There’s really no set standard for the award, but most of the time the winner comes from a team that makes the playoffs. Wins, save percentage, and goals against average all play a part in determining the winner as well.
Going by the surface goaltending stats, there are a handful of goalies to consider for the Vezina.
The leaders in save percentage among goalies with at least 13 games are Tristan Jarry (.936), Anton Khudobin (.931) and Darcy Keumper (.929). However, Jarry has only played 19 games as he splits time with Matt Murray, the same goes for Khudobin (17 games) who is the backup for Ben Bishop. Keumper was the Arizona Coyotes’ starting goalie before getting injured, potentially hurting his chances as well.
If you look at goalies that have played at least 26 games, there are more recognizable names. The aforementioned Ben Bishop has a .926 SV% in 28 games, Semyon Varlamov has a .920 SV% in 26 games for the New York Islanders, while Connor Hellebuyck and Jacob Markstrom each have a save percentage of .919.
Now, let’s take a look at wins. Frederik Anderson leads the way with 21 wins, and a respectable .916 save percentage. Jordan Binnington also has a .916 save percentage, but 19 wins. Braden Holtby, Connor Hellebuyck, Marc-Andre Fleury and Andrei VVasilevskiy are all tied with 17 wins.
In goals against average, there is Bishop (2.33), Varlamov (2.40), Joonas Korpisalo (2.49), Binnington (2.55) and Carter Hart (2.61) in the top five. The aforementioned Markstrom, Andersen, and Hellebuyck come in at sixth, seventh, and eighth.
Is There Value in Betting on Varly’s Vezina Trophy Odds
So, what can we make of all of this? There are a few goalies that are among the league leaders in all three categories.
Binnington (+250) is the favorite right now, with Hellebuyck (+300) and Bishop (+400) right behind him. Those three are mentioned quite a few times above, and each have a great chance at taking home the Vezina.
Behind them are Tuukka Rask (+700), Marc-Andre Fleury (+800) and Varlamov (+900).
Varlamov was mentioned a few times above as well and should be looked at as a value pick for the Vezina. He has an impressive 2.40 goals against average (second in NHL), .920 save percentage (second in NHL), and 14 wins in 22 starts. If he gets more action in the second half, those odds will drop and you’ll be happy to have him at +900.
Best Sports book 2020
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