In their second head-to-head matchup of the regular season, the Anaheim Ducks and the expansion Vegas Golden Knights meet at T-Mobile Arena in a divisional showdown. Sportsnet ONE will showcase the matchup, and the action gets going at 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 5.
Anaheim Ducks vs. Vegas Golden Knights Odds
With a -140 moneyline, Vegas comes into the matchup as the heavy favorite. The line for Anaheim sits at +120, and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-120 for the over, +100 for the under).
Earning 9.5 units for moneyline bettors, Vegas is 16-10 straight up (SU) overall in the 2017-18 season. Of its 26 games this season, 16 have gone over the total, while eight have gone under and just two have pushed. The teams 10-2 SU at home this season.
The Golden Knights have converted on 19.6 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 20th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 78.0 percent of all penalties.
As a team, the Golden Knights have been penalized just 3.5 times per game overall this season, 3.6 per game over their past five contests total, and 3.0 per game over their last five home outings. The team has had to defend opponent power plays for just 6.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, in total.
Averaging 22.9 saves per game with a .866 save percentage, Maxime Lagace (six wins, seven losses, and one OT loss) has been the best goalkeeper for the Knights this year. If Vegas decides to give him the night off, however, head coach Gerard Gallant could roll with Malcolm Subban (6-2-2 record, .926 save percentage, 2.19 goals against average).
William Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault will both lead the way for the Golden Knights. Karlsson (25 points) has tallied 14 goals and 11 assists and has recorded multiple points in eight different games this year. Marchessault has 10 goals and 15 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 12 games.
Over on the other bench, Anaheim is 11-16 straight up (SU) and has lost 4.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. A total of 16 of its matches have gone under the total, while 10 have gone over and just one has pushed. As a road team so far, the Ducks are 5-7 SU.
The Ducks have converted on 18.3 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 13th overall and it’s successfully killed off 81.4 percent of all penalties.
Anaheim’s players have been whistled for penalties 5.2 times per game in total this season, and 6.4 per game over their last five on the road. The team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays an unhealthy 15.2 minutes per game over their last five outings.
John Gibson (2.98 goals against average and .920 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Anaheim. Gibson is averaging 31.3 saves per game and has eight wins, 13 losses, and two OT losses to his credit.
For the visiting Ducks, the offense will run through Corey Perry (five goals, 14 assists) and Rickard Rakell (eight goals, 10 assists).
Anaheim Ducks vs. Vegas Golden Knights Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Golden Knights, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- Three of Anaheim’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 1-2 in those games and 2-3 overall in shootouts this season.
- The over has hit in three of Vegas last five games.
- Anaheim has managed 29.2 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Vegas has been attempting 35.6 shots per game over its last five at home.
- Over Anaheim’s last ten games, five of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 1-4 in those games).
- Anaheim skaters have dished out the third-most hits in the league (25.0 per game).
