Calgary Flames vs. Vegas Golden Knights Prediction, Preview, and Odds
The Flames are having a season to forget with their offense letting them down, scoring only 2.89 goals per game with only seven goals in the last three games. Nazem Kadri, Elias Lindholm, and Blake Coleman have combined for 20 goals and 31 assists but the rest of the offense has struggled. Only six skaters have six goals or more and opposing defenses can limit the top-heavy offense as a result.The offense has struggled but the defense has been the Flames' downfall, allowing 3.33 including 15 goals in the last four games. MacKenzie Weegar and Noah Hannifin have combined for 2.7 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net with ease. In addition, goaltender Daniel Vladar has struggled with a .877 save percentage and a 3.45 goals-against average on 212 shots with -5.6 goals saved above average.
The Golden Knights are having a great season with their offense stepping up and scoring 3.31 goals per game including 17 goals in the last three games. Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, and William Karlsson have scored 32 goals and 51 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has been great as well. Jonathan Marchessault, Michael Amadio, and Chandler Stephenson have combined for 23 goals and 27 assists while defensemen Alex Pietrangelo and Brayden McNabb have added three goals and 21 assists from the point to open up the offense.The offense has been great but the defense has carried the Golden Knights, allowing only 2.34 goals per game with only five goals in the last two games. Alex Pietrangelo and Brayden McNabb have combined for 4.1 defensive point shares and 158 blocked shots while Ben Hutton, Kaedan Korczak, and Nicolas Hague have combined for 3.4 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. In addition, goaltender Adin Hill has been great with a .935 save percentage and a 1.87 goals-against average on 403 shots with 12.7 goals saved above average.
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Best Bets for this Game
Insiders Status:
The Flames are looking to pull off the upset but the Golden Knights look like the team to beat in the Western Conference and look to control this game from the first period. The Golden Knights, who average 3.31 goals per game, should pile on the goals against the Flames, who allow 3.33 goals per game, with Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, and the rest of the forward unit controlling the puck in the offensive zone and creating open shots with effective puck movement. The Golden Knights, who allow only 2.34 goals per game, should limit the Flames offense, which averages only 2.89 goals per game, with Alex Pietrangelo, Brayden McNabb, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Adin Hill to make plenty of big saves. The Golden Knights should win the game and cover the spread in a dominant win on their home ice.
Prediction: Golden Knights -1.5 (+130)
Insiders Status:
The Golden Knights are led by their defense and both defensive units look to step up and take over this game. The Flames should limit the Golden Knights' offense with MacKenzie Weegar, Noah Hanifin, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Daniel Vladar to make plenty of big saves. The Golden Knights, who have only allowed five goals in their last two games, should eliminate and potentially shut out the Flames, who have scored only seven goals in the last three games, with Alex Pietrangelo, Brayden McNabb, Ben Hutton, and the rest of the defensive unit forcing turnovers in all three zones while goaltender Adin Hill blanks the shots on the net. The Under should cover in a low-scoring game with both defenses stepping up.
