The 2023-24 NHL schedule is coming to a close with less than three weeks remaining before the start of the NHL playoffs on April 20. However, there’s still plenty to be determined, including playoff teams and seedings as well as the major award winners. There’s a tight battle for the Art Ross and Hart Trophies, while the Norris and Selke Trophies are also up for grabs. It’s hard to say the same about the 2024 Vezina Trophy, which has a clear frontrunner in Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets.
NHL Vezina TrophyPicks
- Pick: Hellebuyck -650
Here’s a look at the Vezina Trophy odds with fewer than 10 NHL games left in the regular season. We’ll also look at why Hellebuyck will win the award and how another goalie for a Canadian team can climb up the 2024 NHL Vezina Trophy odds.
Vezina Trophy Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Connor Hellebuyck | -650 |
| Sergei Bobrovsky | +600 |
| Thatcher Demko | +1000 |
| Jeremy Swayman | +3000 |
| Jacob Markstrom | +3000 |
Why Hellebuyck Will Win the Award
With -650 Vezina Trophy odds and fewer than 10 NHL games remaining in the season, it’s hard to imagine Hellebuyck not winning the Vezina Trophy. The 30-year-old American won the Vezina in 2019-20 with a 2.57 GAA and .922 save percentage and has similar numbers this season. He has a record of 32-19-4 to go along with a 2.43 GAA and .919 save percentage in 55 games and is a major reason why the Jets are likely to make the NHL playoffs. Winnipeg was not among the NHL picks to make the postseason, but Hellebuyck’s impressive play has made them one of the best and most consistent NHL teams this year.
If we dive into advanced stats, Hellebuyck leads all goaltenders in Goals Saved Above Average (GSAA) at 25.7. He’s also the league leader in Goalie Point Shares (GPS) with 12.1. By comparison, he had a GPS and GSAA of 12.5 and 22.4 when he won the Vezina Trophy in 2019-20.
Bobrovsky’s Case Diminishing Down the Stretch
Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky was once among the leading candidates in the Vezina Trophy odds, but the Panthers are in a free fall down the NHL standings and are in danger of losing home ice in the NHL playoffs. He was pulled after allowing five goals on 16 shots in his most recent start against the Toronto Maple Leafs and now has NHL Vegas odds of +600 to win the Vezina.
Bobrovsky has a 33-17-3 record with a 2.46 GAA and .912 save percentage but has allowed 27 goals in his last seven starts.
How Demko Can Make a Late Charge
Despite not playing due to being on the NHL injury report, Thatcher Demko is probably the only goalie other than Hellebuyck with a slight possibility of winning the 2024 Vezina Trophy. The Canucks have been inconsistent at best since he suffered a knee injury on March 9. In his absence, Casey DeSmith has lost his last three starts, allowing 11 goals.
Demko is 34-13-2 with a 2.47 GAA and a .917 save percentage this season. He has a GPS of 2.55 and GSAA of 18.5. He returned to the ice on April 2 and, if he can get back with a few games left and help the Canucks hold on to first place in the Pacific Division over the Edmonton Oilers, he may have a shot at winning the Vezina.
Final Vezina Prediction
Demko’s case to win the Vezina involves a lot of what-ifs and best-case scenarios. Hellebuyck has been one of the best and most consistent goaltenders all season, leading goalies in most NHL player stats. His -650 odds aren’t exactly great value, but there’s no other solid betting option at this point.
- Pick: Hellebuyck -650
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