NHL betting: Should you back Sergei Bobrovsky to win the Vezina?
When it comes to this year's NHL Awards, Connor Hellebuyck has led the Vezina Trophy conversation all season long. And rightfully so, given he was a major reason the Winnipeg Jets sat at the top of the standings in January. Now, with less than 10 games left in the regular season and the Jets locked into a playoff spot, DraftKings has dubbed Hellebuyck the runaway favorite to win the Vezina at -1200 odds.
But before you put all your money on the Michigan native to take home the hardware, you may want to consider the netminder with the second shortest odds: Two-time Vezina winner Sergei Bobrovsky.
Sure, the Florida Panthers starter is listed at +1000 (10-1) odds, which is quite the jump from Hellebuyck as the favorite. However, given how he has played in the final leg of the regular season, he is putting up a good argument to win his third trophy.
Here's what to know before you place your bet.
If you are basing your bet strictly on player stats, you will see that Hellebuyck and Bobrovsky are neck and neck. They have the same number of wins heading into the final two weeks of the regular season (34) and Hellebuyck's .920 save percentage is only slightly better than Bob's .913. (Plus, you could argue that the Russian's save percentage was dented by that 6-4 loss to the Maple Leafs up in Toronto where he uncharacteristically gave up five goals.) Bobrovsky does have a leg up when it comes to shutouts with five on the season compared to Hellebuyck's four.
Looking at how each goalie's individual team has played in the second half of the season can also help you decide which netminder to wager on. We previously mentioned that Hellebuyck helped propel the Jets to the top of the standings around mid-season, and from January through March Winnipeg totaled 46 points. Meanwhile, the Panthers — thanks in part to Bobrovsky — totaled 53 points thanks to a 20-point January that included Bobrovsky entering the halfway point of the season on a seven-game winning streak. Bob's prowess between the pipes is, arguably, a major reason the Panthers are the second-favorite at DK to win the Stanley Cup this year.
With how close Hellebuyck and Bobrovsky look, you may need to watch them play ahead of the playoffs before you place your bet.
Since both the Jets and the Panthers are going to the playoffs, neither netminder will start every game in this final stretch of the season. (Plus, both teams have very reliable backup goaltenders in Laurent Brossoit and Anthony Stolarz.) However, they will still get their starts in ahead of a playoff run. The Jets arguably have a tougher schedule down the stretch with games against four playoff-bound teams while the Panthers' only real threat is a rematch against the Leafs, but both goaltenders will face steep competition that will prepare them for the playoffs — and perhaps make it more clear who you should be backing in the Vezina race.
The regular season is winding down quickly, and your chance to wager on this year's Vezina Trophy winner is upon you. And while Connor Hellebuyck has been the runaway favorite for the better part of the season, you may want to weigh your potential loss — and perhaps watch a game or two — and consider whether Sergei Bobrovsky is a better bet.
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