The Vegas Golden Knights (5-1-2) face the Tampa Bay Lightning (2-4-2) Sunday. Puck drop from Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, is set for 5 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’ winning streak was halted at 4 as they were shut out by the Florida Panthers 3-0 as -108 favorites Saturday. It was just the second time this season they were held under 3 goals, and both of those account for their defeats. C Jack Eichel leads the NHL with 16 points (6 goals). The Knights are also playing without RW Mark Stone (wrist), D Noah Hanifan (lower body) and top goalie Adin Hill (lower body). Rookie G Carl Lindbom will make his NHL debut Sunday.
The Lightning also played Saturday and beat the Anaheim Ducks 4-3 as -182 favorites. That stopped a 4-game skid. Backup G Jonas Johansson stopped 37 of 40 shots, and wingers Jake Guentzel and Anthony Cirelli each had 2 goals. They’ll have G Andrei Vasilevskiy ready to take on the rookie.
Golden Knights at Lightning odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:21 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Golden Knights +118 (bet $100 to win $118) | Lightning -145 (bet $145 to win $100)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Golden Knights +1.5 (-200) | Lightning -1.5 (+165)Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)Golden Knights at Lightning projected goalies
Carl Lindbom (0-0-0, 0.00 GAA, .000 SV%) vs. Andrei Vasilevskiy (0-3-2, 3.41 GAA, .885 SV%)
Lindbom was 1-0-1 with a 1.00 GAA and .958 SV% in 2 AHL games this season. During the 24-25 season, he went 18-15-2 with a 2.65 GAA and .912 SV%. Solid numbers for the kid, which thrust the 22-year-old into this spot for his NHL debut.
Vassy has gotten off to a rough start to the season, but he has been a little better of late. He stopped 22 of 25 in a 3-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks Thursday. Vasilevskiy was 1-1-0 with a 3.04 GAA and .889 SV% in 2 starts against Vegas last year.
Golden Knights at Lightning picks and predictionsPrediction
Lightning 4, Golden Knights 3
The LIGHTNING (-145) are at a lower price than I expected. Both teams are on a back-to-back, but it’s Vasilevskiy vs. a goalie making his NHL debut. Vegas suffered its first regulation loss Saturday, and now is the time to pounce.
I don’t trust the Lightning enough to go PL here. PASS.
Saturday’s 4-3 finish ended a 4-game Under streak for Tampa. VGK has cashed 2 straight Unders. And I loathe taking Over 6.5’s. But I’m going to do it. Vasilevskiy hasn’t looked right in his crease, and Vegas has a green goalie that Tampa will pelt with shots to test him. Both teams are also on back-to-backs, so defense may not be as crisp. Give me the OVER 6.5 (+100).
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