Every team in the NHL goes into the new season with the goal of making the playoffs, which is no easy feat given the brutal 82-game schedule that each of them needs to play. At the end of the day, how you get in doesn’t really matter, but teams looking to make a deep run in the playoffs try to avoid going in via the Wild Card. For that to happen, teams need to finish in the top 3 in their division, which is proving to be tough this season given the level of parity that exists in each.
Friday night will see a pair of 3rd place teams head to head, with the Vegas Golden Knights of the Pacific Division going on the road to face the Dallas Stars of the Central Division. Both are in that sweet spot in their respective division, but with the races looking tight, there is no guarantee that either of them will stay there. This game has huge playoff implications. The Golden Knights are favored by 1 ½, with the O/U set at 5 ½.
Golden Knights vs Stars NHL Odds, Preview & Prediction
🎥 Stone: You want to be playing your best hockey this time of year. We have to keep doing the things we’ve done well in the last few games. pic.twitter.com/yDY9v752k8
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) 15 de marzo de 2019
- When: Friday, March 15 at 8 PM EST
- Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas
- TV: NHL Center Ice
- Live Stream: NHL.tv
- NHL Odds: Vegas Golden Knights -160 (Total 5.5)
Why bet on the Vegas Golden Knights?
It was always going to be tough for the Vegas Golden Knights to match the success that they had in their inaugural season, and while they are not as high in the standings as they were at this stage last season, they are almost certainly going to be heading back to the playoffs. Vegas is in that coveted top 3 in the Pacific Division, although just 4 points up on the surging Arizona Coyotes.
The Golden Knights are not performing too badly themselves, though, as they come into this one having gone 6-3-1 in their last 10 games. They are also sure to be confident ahead of this match-up given that they have beaten the Dallas Stars in 4 of their 5 meetings since coming into the league. Vegas is at .500 on the road this season, going 17-17-1, but are a decent 21-15 ATS in those road games.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 3.03
- Shots: 34.40
- PP/PK Percentage: 17.73
Defense
- Goals: 2.80
- Shots: 29.14
- PP/PK Percentage: 18.18
Why bet on the Dallas Stars?
The Dallas Stars have taken advantage of some teams slipping up in the Central Division to move all the way up to the #3 spot. They are now within reach of the lead, although making up 7 points with time running out on the season looks like a bridge too far. The goal for this team now will be to maintain that top 3 standing and steer clear of the Wild Card, but the race in the West is incredibly tight.
Dallas are certainly looking strong right now, coming into this one with back to back wins, as well as 7 victories in their last 10 games. They have been at their very best on home ice, going 21-11-2, although they have yet to win in two attempts versus Vegas on home ice. Dallas are 16-18 ATS at home.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 2.54
- Shots: 29.83
- PP/PK Percentage: 19.66
Defense
- Goals: 2.47
- Shots: 31.71
- PP/PK Percentage: 17.62
Golden Knights vs Stars NHL Betting Trends
- Vegas is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games on the road
- Vegas is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
- Dallas is 4-12 ATS in its last 16 games at home
- Dallas is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games at home
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Dallas’s last 5 games at home
Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction
This is a match-up that has historically not delivered a lot of goals, and I think we are looking at more of the same here. I like Dallas to get the win and would not be surprised to see OT required to get it.
Score: Vegas Golden Knights 2 – Dallas Stars 3
