Golden Knights vs. Stars prediction: NHL pick, best bet Saturday
The defending Stanley Cup champions have been knocked down a few rungs as of late.
A season that started with seven straight wins has regressed back to reality with six losses in the last 10 games for the Golden Knights.
Their hot start gave enough leeway to the point they still lead the NHL with 39 points.
Plus, Adin Hill has been validating his worth as a premiere No. 1 goalie — so much so, his absence to injury has the market stamping Vegas as underdogs against the Stars on Saturday evening.
(4 p.m. ET. ESPN+)
Dallas hasn’t been too shabby, but also has dropped six of its last 10.
The Stars are one point out of first place in the Central Division and have been potting merely 3.5 goals every night.
The Knights score at a slightly less rate given they have netted the same sum of goals through two more games played than Dallas.
But regardless, Vegas deploys two of the game’s top four forward lines in expected goals rate.
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There is plenty to go around with a Knights group that has been good for more than a couple high danger chances per game.
Vegas has scored at least four goals in its last five games while Jack Eichel, William Karlsson and Mark Stone all have notched at least 22 points.
The Stars have been playing part in some wacky games with 13 goals allowed through the last three games.
Logan Thompson is more than capable assuming the crease in the interim for Vegas; he owns a 2.36 goals against average, which is sixth best in the league.
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He’s making nine saves above expected and has gone a five-game string without a regulation loss.
Vegas seized the first two tilts with Dallas by one-goal deficits that both cashed on the under. Something about the “third straight win is the hardest” expression must also be playing a role here.
I’m not buying it. The Knights should ice the season sweep on Saturday in another tightly contested battle between two deep lineups.
The play: Golden Knights +110 (BetMGM)
