The Enterprise Center will be hosting a Western Conference clash as the Vegas Golden Knights pay a visit to Missouri to meet the St. Louis Blues. The opening face-off is at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 1, and it’ll be broadcasted live on AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain.
Vegas Golden Knights vs. St. Louis Blues Odds
,Vegas is 5-7 straight up (SU) and has lost 5.4 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 12 regular season matches, eight of its games have gone under the total, while four have gone over and none have pushed. This 2018-19 Golden Knights team is 2-4 SU on the road.
Vegas has converted on 12.2 percent of its power play chances so far. That’s a noticeable drop-off from last year, when it was ranked 15th in the NHL by converting on 21.0 percent of its extra-man chances. Its penalty kill has improved slightly, however, as the team has gone from successfully defending 81.3 percent of all opponent power plays (ranked ninth overall last season) to 81.8 percent this year.
Vegas, as a collective unit, has been whistled for penalties just 3.2 times per game this season, a number that’s pretty close to last year’s 3.6 penalties per game. After serving an average of 7.9 penalty minutes per game a year ago, the team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays for 7.5 minutes per matchup this season.
Averaging 20.9 saves per game with a .897 save percentage, Marc-Andre Fleury (5-5-1) has been the primary option in goal for Vegas this season. If head coach Gerard Gallant chooses to rest him, however, the team might roll with Malcolm Subban (0-3), who has a .881 save percentage and 2.83 goals against average this year.
Jonathan Marchessault and William Karlsson will both be relied on to produce for the visiting Golden Knights. Marchessault (12 points) is up to six goals and six assists, and has recorded two or more points four times. Karlsson has three goals and six assists to his credit, and has logged at least one point in six games.
St. Louis is 3-7 straight up (SU) and has already lost 5.7 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 10 regular season matches, six of its games have gone over the total, while three have gone under and just one has pushed. It’s 2-4 SU at home this year.
St. Louis has converted on 30.2 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that places it in the top-5 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 16th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 78.8 percent of all opponent power plays.
St. Louis skaters have been sent to the penalty box only 3.8 times per game this season. Last year, that number was at 3.3, the third-lowest mark in the league. After serving an average of 7.7 penalty minutes per game a year ago, the team’s had to stave off opponent power plays for 8.2 minutes per outing this season.
Jake Allen has stopped 25.3 shots per game as the top option in goal for St. Louis. Allen has three wins, six losses, and three OT losses to his credit and has maintained a poor .874 save percentage and 3.99 goals against average this season.
Ryan O’Reilly (three goals, 11 assists) will lead the offensive counter for the Blues.
Vegas Golden Knights vs. St. Louis Blues Betting Predictions
,Free Pick: SU Winner – Blues, O/U – Over
