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The Vegas Golden Knights (9-5-2) and Pittsburgh Penguins (5-7-2) will meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. EST at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. The game will broadcast live on ESPN+.
The Golden Knights are favored at -105 on the moneyline, with the Penguins -115 to pull off the upset. The over/under is set at 6.5 (-120o / +100u).
Let's get into our Golden Knights vs. Penguins predictions and NHL picks.
Golden Knights vs. Penguins Prediction
Our Vegas vs. Pittsburgh best bet is on Noah Hanifin to exceed his shots on goal mark, with the best odds currently available at DraftKings. For all of your NHL bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NHL odds page.
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Golden Knights vs Penguins Odds
| Golden Knights Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -250 | 6.5 -120o / 100u | -105 |
| Penguins Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +205 | 6.5 -120o / 100u | -115 |
- Golden Knights vs. Penguins puck line: Penguins -1.5 (+205 ), Golden Knights +1.5 (-250)
- Golden Knights vs. Penguins over/under: 6.5 (-120o / +100u)
- Golden Knights vs. Penguins moneyline: Golden Knights -105, Penguins -115
- Golden Knights vs. Penguins best bet: Noah Hanifin Over 1.5 Shots on Goal
Golden Knights vs. Penguins Pick
Golden Knights defenseman Noah Hanifin can be notoriously hit-or-miss when it comes to his shot prop, but recent tactical adjustments point to a prime buy-low spot against the Penguins tonight.
The boom-or-bust nature of Hanifin’s market line stems from a passive start to the campaign. Between Games 2 through 9, Hanifin seemed hesitant to trigger from the point, averaging fewer than one shot on goal per game.
However, his offensive aggression has spiked considerably since that cold stretch. Over his subsequent outings, Hanifin's volume has risen to 2.2 shots on goal per contest, a clear indicator that the blueliner and Vegas coaching staff have made a concerted effort to funnel pucks toward the net through his side of the ice.
That uptick in volume is paired with an opponent Hanifin has already proven comfortable attacking. The last time Vegas squared off against Pittsburgh back on October 17, Hanifin peppered the Penguins' net, firing three shots on goal in a decisive 6-2 Golden Knights victory.
Pittsburgh’s defensive scheme routinely bleeds looks to opposing defensemen. The Penguins allow 7.1 shots on goal per game to opposing blue lines, ranking 10th in the NHL. While that ranking sits near the top of the league, the margins are razor-thin, separated by less than a single shot from the bottom third of the league (7.9 down to 7.1).
Against an injury-depleted Pittsburgh defense that often surrenders clean point-to-point passing lanes, Vegas should have no trouble establishing sustained zone time and setting up Hanifin from the top of the umbrella.
Action Network's PRO Projections slate Hanifin for 1.7 shots on goal tonight, signaling a clean 7.7% edge to back his surging volume over a modest 1.5 total.
Best Bet: Noah Hanifin Over 1.5 Shots on Goal (+130, DraftKings)
