The Vegas Golden Knights (5-1-2) and Carolina Hurricanes (6-2-0) meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 6:30 p.m. EDT at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
The Hurricanes are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 6 (-115 / -105). The Hurricanes are a -140 favorite to win outright, while the Golden Knights are +120 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Golden Knights vs. Hurricanes predictions and NHL picks.
Golden Knights vs. Hurricanes Odds, Pick
| Golden Knights Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -220 | 6 -115o / -105u | +120 |
| Hurricanes Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +180 | 6 -115o / -105u | -140 |
- Golden Knights vs. Hurricanes Spread: Golden Knights +1.5 (-210), Hurricanes -1.5 (+175)
- Golden Knights vs. Hurricanes Over/Under: 6 (-115 / -105)
- Golden Knights vs. Hurricanes Moneyline: Golden Knights +120, Hurricanes -140
Golden Knights vs. Hurricanes Preview
Vegas Golden Knights
The Vegas Golden Knights have gotten off to a tremendous start this season. Sitting atop the Pacific Division, Vegas has recorded at least one point in eight of its first nine games.
The main factor behind this strong start has been the team’s play in the defensive zone. Entering this matchup, the Knights rank third in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).
They're also one of the most disciplined teams in the NHL, ranking in the top half in both penalty minutes per game and penalty kill percentage. Because of that defensive strength, Vegas has allowed two or fewer goals in five of its past seven games.
One of those outings came against tonight’s opponent (and fellow Cup contender), the Carolina Hurricanes. The Knights won that game 4-1, and a similar result is possible Tuesday.
Carolina Hurricanes
The biggest difference between these two teams is the blue line, which has been a major advantage for Vegas this season. While the Hurricanes aren’t necessarily poor defensively, they sit around the league average in xGA/60 and are dealing with a string of injuries on the back end.
Defensemen Jaccob Slavin, Shayne Gostisbehere and K’Andre Miller are all ruled out for this contest. Carolina already felt the absence of Slavin and Gostisbehere in the first matchup against Vegas, and the addition of Miller to the injury list only makes things more difficult for this depleted defensive corps.
Backing up that weakened blue line is goaltender Frederik Andersen, who took the loss in that earlier meeting with Vegas and is projected to start again. Andersen continues to struggle against the Knights. Over the past three meetings, he’s 0-3 with a .868 save percentage (SV%) and 3.12 goals-against average (GAA).
Golden Knights vs. Hurricanes Prediction
With an injury-riddled defensive group on a team that’s already struggled to suppress high-danger scoring chances, the Hurricanes are likely to have trouble against a Knights squad that ranks eighth in goals per game. Given Andersen’s continued struggles against Vegas, Carolina is simply too heavy of a favorite in this matchup.
Meanwhile, the Knights are expected to counter in goal with Akira Schmid, who also started in their 4-1 victory over Andersen and the Hurricanes last week. Schmid allowed just one goal on 23 shots for a .957 SV% and has now won four of his five appearances this season.
Pick: Golden Knights moneyline (+120 | Play to +115)
