The Vegas Golden Knights (5-0-2) face the Florida Panthers (4-5-0) Saturday. Puck drop from Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, is set for 6 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Golden Knights vs. Panthers odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
2024-25 series record: Tied 1-1
The Knights are perched atop their throne, led by NHL points-leader C Jack Eichel (16). They’re also getting a big contribution from 24-year-old RW Pavel Dorofeyev, who has 7 goals. VGK has won 4 straight after a 4-1 home victory over the then-undefeated Carolina Hurricanes Monday, cashing as a slight -101 underdog. Eichel drilled his sixth goal and Dorofeyev knocked in his seventh. The Knights are rolling without G Adin Hill, who is week to week with a lower-body injury. Former Philadelphia Flyers G Carter Hart signed a 2-year deal with the club and could become a factor in the coming days.
This Panthers team is reeling without its 2 stars C Aleksander Barkov (knee) and LW Matthew Tkachuk (groin). They fell 5-3 at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins Thursday as -183 favorites. LW Brad Marchand scored 2 goals to put him at 5 on the season. C Sam Reinhart scored his third goal.
Golden Knights at Panthers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:15 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Golden Knights -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Panthers -105 (bet $105 to win $100)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Golden Knights -1.5 (+200) | Panthers +1.5 (-250)Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -110 | U: -110)Golden Knights at Panthers projected goalies
Akira Schmid (4-0-0, 2.57 GAA, .899 SV%) vs. Sergei Bobrovsky (4-3-0, 2.61 GAA, .893 SV%)
Schmid was great against the Canes Monday, stopping 22 of 23 shots. He has been inconsistent, though, allowing 5 to the Boston Bruins Oct. 16. He only saw 5 games last season and hasn’t faced the Cats since 2023-24. While with the New Jersey Devils, he stopped 26 of 30 in a 5-3 loss.
Bob has been mostly good this season, but he has allowed 3+ goals in 3 straight turns. His last time out, he allowed the Pens to light the lamp 5 times on 17 shots. He beat the Knights in his only matchup last season, 4-3 in OT, stopping 23 of 26.
Golden Knights at Panthers picks and predictionsPrediction
Golden Knights 3, Panthers 2
I don’t like that they’ve been off for 5 days, but I’m still taking the GOLDEN KNIGHTS (-115). Their goaltending isn’t as good as its record, but their offense is legit. The Panthers (-105) are struggling to find offense outside of their usual suspects.
PASS. I think this will take OT to settle, but the Panthers’ puck line price (-250) is too high. The Panthers are also 1-8 ATS thus far.
VGK is 4-2-1 O/U thus far, and Florida is 4-5 O/U. The Under has cashed in 3 of the last 4 head-to-head meetings. I like UNDER 6 (-110) with Bobrovsky confirmed to go.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow @rdodsonsports on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.