The Vegas Golden Knights (31-24-14) and Nashville Predators (31-28-9) meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 2:00 p.m. EDT at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
The Golden Knights are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 6.5 (-107o / -115u). The Golden Knights are a -131 favorite to win outright, while the Predators are +110 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Golden Knights vs. Predators predictions and NHL picks.
Golden Knights vs. Predators Odds, Pick
| Golden Knights Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +187 | 6.5 -107o / -115u | -131 |
| Predators Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -231 | 6.5 -107o / -115u | +110 |
- Golden Knights vs. Predators Spread: Golden Knights -1.5 (+187), Predators +1.5 (-231)
- Golden Knights vs. Predators Over/Under: 6.5 (-107o / -115u)
- Golden Knights vs. Predators Moneyline: Golden Knights -131, Predators +110
Golden Knights vs. Predators Preview
Vegas Golden Knights
What a brutal showcase it’s been for the Golden Knights since returning from the Olympics.
All of a sudden it seemed like the Knights forgot to play hockey.
The key word here is “seemed.”
Because I still think this is still a very good hockey team that has had a tremendous amount of terrible luck.
They had themselves a four game homestand where they kicked it off with a two game win streak, and ended up getting shutout in two straight against the Sabres and the Mammoth.
I don’t anticipate Vegas continuing to get shutout again, as it’s never been shutout three games in a row in franchise history.
And on Thursday, I mentioned that the numbers seem to favor the Golden Knights. In both of those games, the Knights outshot their opponents, while either tying or winning the faceoff circle.
In addition, the team has generated a number of high quality chances, with five players in each game generating a .2 or better expected goals share.
Adin Hill was solid in the game against the Sabres, but then quickly got lit up against the Mammoth, allowing three goals in eight minutes – furthering my theory that Hill has been massively inconsistent since winning the Stanley Cup.
Nashville Predators
Nashville is an interesting case because the front office seemed OK with trading a handful of key players in Michael Bunting, Nick Blankenburg and Michael McCarron.
Instead, the Predators seemed revitalized from the moves, because they ended up keeping key figures in Ryan O’Reilly and Steven Stamkos.
The departure of Blankenburg opened up a door for Ryan Ufko, the 22-year-old defenseman who has lit up the scoresheet with points in four out of his last five and five points in seven games.
But what makes this team so fascinating is that their 5-on-5 numbers are purely abysmal.
In the month of March, they’re playing to a third-worst 42.35 xGF% and a fifth-worst 3.23 xGA/60.
Goaltending, though, has been solid. Both Justus Annunen and Juuse Saros have played fine in each of their last 10 starts, but I’m not sure it’s been good enough to justify not falling apart.
This is a team that has some solid players, but the overall efficiency is on its last legs. While Nashville is still clawing for a playoff spot, I don’t know how this team keeps it up for the next month if it continues to play like this.
Golden Knights vs. Predators Prediction
This game is so peculiar. Both teams are playing at totally different levels yet experiencing Jekyll & Hyde results.
I’m going to run with the Golden Knights here, and I’ll tell you why.
Nashville has gotten exceptionally lucky in the calendar year of 2026 and I genuinely wonder when that luck is going to run out.
This is a get-right game for Vegas, but even more so, a game for the Knights to create some separation.
It’s getting way too close for comfort for Vegas, who are dangerously approaching the Wild Card.
But this isn’t just a vibes pick. I really think there’s some hope for a turnaround, because the numbers suggest that it’s a real possibility. I tend to look at the body of work here, and Vegas’ holds up. Take the Knights to end the schneid.
Pick: Golden Knights ML
