Golden Knights vs. Hurricanes Odds
| Golden Knights Odds | +116 |
| Hurricanes Odds | -142 |
| Over / Under | 6.5 +110/ -134 |
Here's everything you need to know about Golden Knights vs Hurricanes on Tuesday, Dec. 19 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
Before winning the Cup last season, Vegas won each of its two matchups during the regular season against Carolina. It was priced as the underdog in each of those outings.
Will the Knights pull off the upset once again, or can the Canes start to rectify what has been a difficult start to the campaign?
Let's dig into the NHL odds and make a Golden Knights vs Hurricanes prediction and pick.
Vegas Golden Knights
Vegas' quest to defend the Cup has gotten off to a good start this year.
Entering Tuesday night's matchup, the Knights hold the best record in the league with a 21-6-5 start as we near the campaign's midway point.
This team is rightfully priced as one of the betting favorites to win it all, and that is once again due to their its and fantastic two-way play.
To illustrate how good they are in all three zones, the Golden Knights rank in the top 10 of the league in the following categories:
- Goals scored per game
- Shots on goal per game
- Power play percentage
- Goals allowed per game
- Shots on goal allowed per game
- Penalty kill percentage
- Penalty minutes taken
While those surface-level stats illuminate two-way dominance, Vegas' underlying metrics suggest that regression should not be an issue. At 5-on-5, the Knights rank sixth in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) and 11th in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).
Backing up this tremendous two-way play is goaltender Logan Thompson, who is expected to draw the start on Tuesday. Through 18 appearances in the crease this season, Thompson is 10-4-3 with a .911 SV% and 2.48 GAA.
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Carolina Hurricanes
Across the ice, goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov is expected to get the nod for Carolina.
While the young netminder has shown a lot of promise since getting drafted in the early second round of the 2019 NHL Draft, he has shown a lot of inconsistency this season.
When he's on, Kochetkov can compete with anyone. But when his game is struggling, which it has often done this year, the wheels fall off the track quickly.
Through his 15 appearances between the pipes this season, Kochetkov is 6-6-2 with a .894 SV%. Now, Carolina has not given him the best two-way play in front of him, but this still isn't a bad team and will start to win eventually.
Analytically, the Canes' metrics suggest that positive regression is looming, which matches up with the eye test for those who watch their games. They are still one of the league's better teams, the results just haven't come to fruition — and goaltending has been the primary issue.
With that said, they still rank lower than Vegas in expected goal differential per 60 minutes at 5-on-5.
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Golden Knights vs. Hurricanes
Betting Pick & Prediction
We saw the Knights beat Carolina twice last season at plus-money, and the Canes looked much stronger at that point than they do right now. So, why are the Hurricanes the favorites in this spot?
First, home ice is a big advantage in Raleigh, with an 8-2-3 home record compared to an 8-10 record when playing away from PNC Arena. Second, as I mentioned above, this team is much stronger than their 16-12-3 record suggests.
With that said, I'm not sure either of those two variables outweigh what we have seen from these teams up to this point. Vegas has looked better offensively, defensively, in the crease and on special teams.
We are also catching a good number on the Knights at +116 via FanDuel, which is six cents longer than the rest of the market.
Pick: Golden Knights ML (Play to +110) |
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