New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin is the reigning Vezina Trophy winner. The award, which is given to the NHL’s best goaltender, is one of the most coveted in the game. Shesterkin will be trying to become the first repeat winner of the Vezina Trophy since Martin Brodeur won the award in 2007 and 2008.
New York Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin has better odds than Shesterkin to win the Vezina Trophy. The Isles goalie is putting together another good year and is on pace to be a finalist for the award.
Each of these goaltenders will also be battling other big names in the race. We’ll break down their chances and see where this race is headed.
Bruins Goalie Linus Ullmark Is the Favorite
At 32-4-4, the Bruins have the best record in the league by far. The Bruins have a complete team but their incredible success to this point has been in large part due to goaltending play. Ullmark is the league leader in goals-against average, save percentage, and wins. He’s trying to become the first goalie to lead all three categories in a season since Carey Price in the 2014-2015 season.
Ullmark’s sensational play this season has come as a big surprise. After playing six seasons in Buffalo, Ullmark was the Bruin’s main goaltender last season. He was able to put together a solid season but nothing like what he’s been able to do this year.
Ullmark didn’t even come into the season with top 10 odds to win the Vezina Trophy. He’s since risen up the leaderboard. You can still find the Bruins goaltender for plus money.
Shesterkin Has Fallen Off Since Being the Favorite to Start the Year
Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin was the favorite to start the year. His odds were at +250 but have since steadily dropped. He now has the fourth-best odds to win the Vezina Trophy.
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Shesterkin’s save percentage has gone from .935 to .916. However, he does have an 18-6-6 record and has helped lead the Rangers to the third spot in the Metro.
Shesterkin’s play will have to improve if he plans on keeping up with Ullmark. His odds have gotten much longer, and would probably be worth avoiding if you’re looking to place a bet on the Vezina Trophy.
Ilya Sorokin’s Odds Have Improved Over the Last Month
Ilya Sorokin was one of the candidates to win the Vezina Trophy coming into the season. His odds stayed steady over the first month of the season but have improved over the last two months. The 27-year-old goaltender has put together three solid seasons with the Isles. His performance this year is finally getting some national recognition.
Sorokin is tied for the third-best save percentage in the league, at .924. He also is tied for second in the league lead in shutouts, at 3. The Isles now hold the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. If the season ended today they would open up against the league-leading Bruins.
The Isles making the playoffs will be critical to giving their goalie a shot at winning this award. Right now, he’s a distant second to Ullmark, but if he can keep up the good play he should guarantee a spot as one of the finalists for the Vezina Trophy.
Vezina Trophy Best Betting Odds
| Candidate | Odds |
| Linus Ullmark | +200 Caesars |
| Ilya Sorokin | +350 BetRivers |
| Connor Hellebuyck | +450 BetRivers |
| Igor Shesterkin | +900 BetRivers |
| Jake Oettinger | +1200 DraftKings |
| Andrei Vasilevskiy | +1500 BetRivers |
Winnipeg Jets goalie, Connor Hellebuyck has also had a fantastic season. He’s 2nd in save percentage and wins. The Jets are 2nd in the Central and are riding a five game winning streak, in large part due to Hellebuyck’s efforts.
Jake Oettinger and Andrei Vasilevskiy also hold odds in this race. Oettinger is a 24-year-old goaltender for the Stars that is having a great year for one of the best teams in the west. Vasilevskiy is the 2019 Vezina Trophy winner. The Lightning goaltender is in his 9th season in the league and continues to be one of the best in the game.
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Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark is the best bet for this award. He leads NHL goalies in most categories and his team is off to an incredible start. Islanders goalie, Ilya Sorkin is one of the top candidates but doesn’t have great value. Hellebuyck on the other hand has longer odds and better numbers, thus giving him better value than Sorokin.
Rangers goalie Shesterkin is in the mix but isn’t having nearly the kind of year he had last year. For these reasons it’s best to lay off the New York goaltenders and stick with Ullmark in Boston.
