NHL 19 Ratings: Best Snipers

(Image Credit: RMNB, via Twitter)

Your sniper is your primary source of goals, often paired with a top playmaker. Snipers are the players who you want to puck to fall to on the powerplay or in the dying seconds of the third period when the score is tied. These are the players who NHL 19 deem to be the very best snipers in the league, with attributes that set them up to score over 30 goals per season.

Alex Ovechkin (92 OVR)

Team: Washington CapitalsPosition: Left WingAge: 32Nationality: RussianHeight: 191cmWeight: 106kgShoots: RightBest Stats: Offensive Awareness 96, Hand-Eye 96, Puck Control 95, Balance 95, Slap Shot Power 95, Slap Shot Accuracy 95

For years, Alex Ovechkin has been the other side of the argument as to who the best player in the league is; him or Sidney Crosby. While Crosby often wins that argument, there’s no denying the Russian’s immense goal-scoring prowess and dynamism all over the ice. With 95s for his slap shots and 94 for his wrist shots, Ovechkin can beat any goaltender in the game, but it’s his 91 body checking and 94 strength that separates him from the other snipers.

Nikita Kucherov (91 OVR)

Team: Tampa Bay LightningPosition: Right WingAge: 25Nationality: RussianHeight: 180cmWeight: 81kgShoots: LeftBest Stats: Wrist Shot Accuracy 94, Deking 94, Passing 94, Puck Control 94

During the turbulent seasons of Steven Stamkos’ major injuries, it was Nikita Kucherov who carried the Tampa Bay Lightning in the offensive end. Now that the superstar playmaker is back, the Russian wing has been able to focus more on putting the puck past the goalie. Rather than being a power puncher like many on this list, Kucherov finds success in accuracy, boasting a 93 in slap shot accuracy and 94 in wrist shot accuracy. 

Patrick Kane (91 OVR)

Team: Chicago BlackhawksPosition: Right WingAge: 29Nationality: AmericanHeight: 180cmWeight: 80kgShoots: LeftBest Stats: Deking 97, Hand-Eye 97, Puck Control 97, Passing 97, Offensive Awareness 96

Patrick Kane just always seems to be in the right place at the right time to knock in goals. He can be on a line with just about anyone who can pass the puck, and he’ll find a way to score. A huge aspect of Kane’s game is his speed when carrying the puck and getting into prime scoring zones, as shown by his 94 acceleration, 90 speed, and 96 offensive awareness.

Taylor Hall (90 OVR)

Team: New Jersey DevilsPosition: Left WingAge: 26Nationality: CanadianHeight: 185cmWeight: 93kgShoots: LeftBest Stats: Speed 95, Acceleration 94, Puck Control 93, Wrist Shot Accuracy 93

If the Edmonton Oilers had kept Taylor Hall, they could have had a modern day Wayne Gretzky-Jari Kurri combination on their hands. Instead, Taylor Hall is blazing past defenses and scoring buckets of goals for the emerging New Jersey Devils. Speed is his primary asset, but with 92 offensive awareness, 93 wrist shot accuracy, 92 slap shot accuracy, and 92 slap shot power, Hall is a potent sniper whenever he sets his sights on goal.

Johnny Gaudreau (90 OVR)

Team: Calgary FlamesPosition: Left WingAge: 25Nationality: AmericanHeight: 175cmWeight: 71kgShoots: LeftBest Stats: Deking 95, Puck Control 95, Hand-Eye 94, Passing 94, Offensive Awareness 94, Agility 94, Acceleration 94

The diminutive wing uses his size to his advantage in the modern NHL, blazing past lumbering defensemen and to get in on goal. Gaudreau often uses his speed to get into the offensive zone with the puck and then tee-up his teammates, but in NHL 19, you can also utilize his 91 slap shot accuracy and 92 wrist shot accuracy to notch plenty of goals.

John Tavares (90 OVR) 

Team: Toronto Maple LeafsPosition: CenterAge: 27Nationality: CanadaHeight: 185cmWeight: 94kgShoots: LeftBest Stats: Deking 94, Hand-Eye 94, Passing 94, Puck Control 94, Offensive Awareness 94, Wrist Shot Accuracy 94

The New York Islanders had their chance, and they blew it: John Tavares snatched at his chance to move to a team with playoff aspirations this summer. To be fair, the final straw for Tavares probably came a few seasons back when the Islanders let their other best couple of players – Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo – leave just as the team were on the cusp of sustainable success. Now, NHL 19 players can utilize a powerplay unit that includes the playmaking attributes of Auston Matthews as well as John Tavares’ 93 slap shot accuracy, 92 slap shot power, and 91 wrist shot power.

Vladimir Tarasenko (90 OVR)

Team: St. Louis BluesPosition: Right WingAge: 26Nationality: RussianHeight: 183cmWeight: 102kgShoots: LeftBest Stats: Deking 94, Wrist Shot Accuracy 94, Offensive Awareness 93, Hand-Eye 93, Passing 93, Puck Control 93

The cover star of NHL 17 is still one of the most feared snipers in NHL 19. With 92 in speed, acceleration, and agility as well as incredible shooting attributes, Vladimir Tarasenko is always good for a goal. But, if there isn’t a clear shooting lane, he possesses a 93 or above in all puck skills when he needs to turn provider.

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