You might imagine that a team sitting at the top of the NHL standings would be content with their current situation but winning now does not mean that good fortune will stick around all the way through the playoffs. We see good teams bow out in the postseason all the time, with many of them left wondering if they could have made a change earlier in the season that might have made a difference. That is why every single team looks long and hard at their lineup to see if there are holes that need to be plugged or issues addressed. It’s an ongoing assessment, but it’s also one that gets a little more serious with the trade deadline right around the corner.
The Tampa Bay Lightning have established themselves as one of the top teams in the NHL over the past few seasons, but that has not translated to playoff success. They are on a hot run at the moment and will be looking to keep things rolling when they hit the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday night. The NHL betting odds put Tampa as favorite by 1 ½ on home ice, with the goal total for this one set at 6 ½.
How to Bet Knights at Lightning NHL Hockey Odds & TV Info
The One Where The Golden Knights Play The Lightning pic.twitter.com/N7xl2OM6A6
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) February 4, 2020
- When: Friday, January 24 at 7 PM EST
- Where: Amalie Arena, Tampa
- TV: NHL.tv
- Radio: Vegas / Tampa Bay
- Live Stream: NHL.tv
- NHL Odds: Lightning -1½ (total 6½)
Why Bet on the Vegas Golden Knights?
While we are starting to see some separation at the top of most of the divisions across the NHL, the same cannot be said for the Pacific Division. It has been a bit of a logjam there all season and it has remained that way until now, with the top 5 teams all separated by just 6 points. The Vegas Golden Knights are in that group and are currently in the #3 spot in the division, which would mean avoiding the Wild Card race if they can maintain that spot.
The Knights are having a solid enough season, going 27-20-7, which gives them 61 points, just 3 off the pace being set by the Canucks at the top. Vegas are just 4-5-1 in their last 10 games, but with 2 wins in a row, they might just be breaking out of their slump. They will hit the road having gone 13-10-4 away from home this season.
Knights 2020 NHL Betting Trends
- Vegas are 3-6 SU in their last 9 games.
- Vegas are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games against an opponent in the Atlantic division.
- Vegas are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games against an opponent in the East conference.
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Vegas’ last 6 games played in February.
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Vegas’ last 5 games when playing as the underdog.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 3.11
- Shots: 34.24
- PP/PK Percentage: 21.62
Defense
- Goals: 3.00
- Shots: 30.41
- PP/PK Percentage: 20.23
Why Bet on the Tampa Bay Lightning?
It’s never easy to come into the new season as a favorite, as it usually means that every opponent is out gunning for you from the start. It certainly seemed to be a tough slog for the Lightning at the start of the season, but they have been fantastic of late, turning things around quickly and going 7-2-1 in their last 10 games.
Their season record now sits at an impressive 32-15-5, which leaves them trailing the Boston Bruins by 5 points in the Atlantic division, although they do still have a game in hand to the leaders. The Lightning have a very decent non-conference record this season, going 11-6-3 versus teams from the Western Conference. On home ice, Tampa is 15-7-2.
Lightning 2020 NHL Betting Trends
- Tampa Bay are 15-3 SU in their last 18 games.
- Tampa Bay are 6-0 SU in their last 6 games at home.
- Tampa Bay are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games this season.
- The total has gone OVER in 13 of Tampa Bay’s last 19 games against an opponent in the Pacific division.
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay’s last 5 games played on a Tuesday.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 3.62
- Shots: 31.69
- PP/PK Percentage: 25.15
Defense
- Goals: 2.79
- Shots: 31.04
- PP/PK Percentage: 16.27
Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction for Knights vs Lightning
Vegas have had the upper hand in their lifetime meetings with the Lightning, going 3-1-0 in their 4 previous meetings. They are running into a team in great form here, though, so I think they will come out on the losing end in this one.
Vegas Golden Knights 2 Tampa Bay Lightning 3
