The BB&T Center is the site for an enticing matchup as the Vegas Golden Knights take on the Florida Panthers. AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain will broadcast this East-West matchup, which gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 2.
Vegas Golden Knights at Florida Panthers Odds
The money line for either team is currently set at an identical -110 and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals (-120 over, +100 under).
Vegas is 29-24 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.7 units for moneyline bettors this year. 26 of its outings have gone under the total, while 22 have gone over and just four have pushed. This 2018-19 Golden Knights team is 13-15 SU on the road.
Vegas has converted on 18.9 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. Additionally, it has the third-best penalty kill in the league, and it has successfully killed off 84.1 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, Vegas has been whistled for penalties just 3.2 times per game during the 2018-19 season, 2.6 per game over its last five games total, and 3.4 per game over its last five games as the visiting team. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 5.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
With a .911 save percentage and 25.2 saves per game, Marc-Andre Fleury (27-18-4) has been the top option in goal for Vegas this season. If it chooses to give him a rest, however, head coach Gerard Gallant may turn to Malcolm Subban (2-6), who has a .904 save percentage and 2.95 goals against average this year.
Alex Tuch and Jonathan Marchessault will both lead the offensive attack for the visiting Golden Knights. Tuch has 40 points via 16 goals and 24 assists, and has recorded multiple points 10 times. Marchessault has 17 goals and 18 assists to his creditand has logged a point in 25 games.
Florida is 20-29 straight up (SU) and has lost 13.7 units for moneyline bettors thus far. 26 of its games have gone over the total, while 16 have gone under and just six have pushed. This season, the team’s 10-12 SU as the home team.
Florida has converted on 26.4 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s good enough for fourth-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 13th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.9 percent of all opponent power plays.
The Panthers have been penalized 3.6 times per game this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five at home. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 6.6 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Roberto Luongo (24.0 saves per game) has been the primary selection in goal for Florida. Luongo has 11 wins, 15 losses, and two overtime losses to his name and has maintained a poor .895 save percentage and 3.17 goals against average this season.
The Panthers will be led on offense by Jonathan Huberdeau (13 goals, 37 assists).
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Florida Panthers Betting Picks
Free Pick: SU Winner – Golden Knights, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- Two clubs that have pounded opposing nets with shots, Vegas has registered the league’s fifth-most shots on goal (33.5) and Florida has attempted the fourth-most (33.7). The Knights have averaged 36.4 shot attempts over their last five road games and the Panthers have taken 30.6 shots over their last five home outings.
- The extra-man advantage could be key in the outcome of this one. The Golden Knights are 12-10 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 24-19 in games where they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 total minutes. The Panthers are 12-15 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 10-21 in games where they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
- Florida (2-4 in shootouts this season) has more experience in games decided by shootout. Vegas has only participated in two shootouts this year, winning one and losing the other.
- Florida skaters have averaged 11.4 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 8.8 takeaways per game (ranked 7th overall).
- Vegas has averaged 3.0 goals per game overall this season, but is averaging 1.7 goals per contest over its last three games (0-3 SU over that span).
- Vegas skaters have created 8.0 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 10.5 takeaways per game (ranked second).
- Vegas may hold the upper hand if this one comes down to the wire. The team’s 12-10 in one-goal games, while Florida is only 9-15 in such games.
