Intelligent Hockey: The most overvalued, undervalued NHL teams at the All-Star break

Opinions in hockey are always changing.

That is the benefit of more games and more data points.

I’ve selected three teams to spotlight because they present interesting wagering possibilities going forward.

Most Overvalued: New York Rangers

Like makeup, superstars can improve a team’s appearance while hiding its blemishes. The New York Rangers personify this truth.

Everything has been coming up roses for the Blueshirts thus far. New York has five games in hand on the Carolina Hurricanes and is tied for the Metropolitan Division lead. There will not be a race for the wild-card spots in the East, meaning the Rangers have essentially cemented a postseason berth. On their roster are viable candidates for the Vezina Trophy, Maurice Richard Trophy and Norris Trophy, and their longest losing streak on the season is three.

The Rangers have also stayed extremely healthy. When looking at their leaders in points, the most games missed among the top seven in scoring is five by Artemi Panarin. Hardship has been foreign to the Broadway gang. 

I think the fall is coming. One person who I believe will have a more modest second-half performance is Chris Kreider. Right now, he is on pace for an unfathomable 57 goals. To put into context how incredible that pace is: Alex Ovechkin, the greatest goal scorer of the 21st century, has only bested that total once. Through 47 games, Kreider already has eclipsed his personal best by five goals! His shooting percentage is an otherworldly 22.4.

Kreider isn’t the only one who has been rubbing the rabbit’s foot. Barclay Goodrow has 10 goals, and his 16.1 shooting percentage is double what it normally is, which is in the 8s. The Rangers clearly cherish Goodrow’s skill set, but regression from him, and