T-Mobile Arena is playing host to an enticing showdown as the Vegas Golden Knights prepare to face the visiting Arizona Coyotes. The game gets going at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 28, and fans at home are able to see this divisional matchup live on AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain.
Arizona Coyotes vs. Vegas Golden Knights Odds
Arizona is 21-18 straight up (SU) and has earned 0.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 39 regular season contests, 22 of its games have gone under the total, while 16 have gone over and just one has pushed. The Coyotes are 13-8 SU on the road in 2019-20.
Arizona has converted on 20.9 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 10th overall, and it has successfully killed off 82.6 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, Arizona has been penalized just 3.1 times per game overall this season, 3.0 per game over its past five games total, and 2.6 per game over its last five road outings. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays just 6.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 28.7 saves per game with a .929 save percentage, Darcy Kuemper (15-10-2) has been the primary option in goal for Arizona this year. If Arizona chooses to rest him, however, head coach Rick Tocchet could turn to Antti Raanta (6-9-2 record, .921 save percentage, 2.70 goals against average).
Nick Schmaltz and Clayton Keller will both look to continue their strong seasons for the visiting Coyotes. Schmaltz has 30 points on six goals and 24 assists, and has recorded multiple points in seven different games. Keller has 10 goals and 19 assists to his credit (and has registered a point in 22 games).
On the other side of the rink, Vegas is 20-21 straight up (SU) and has lost 10.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 41 regular season outings, 20 of its games have gone under the total, while 19 have gone over and just one has pushed. It’s 10-10 SU as the home team this season.
Vegas has converted on 21.0 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 14th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.5 percent of all opponent power plays.
The Golden Knights have been penalized 3.9 times per game this season, and 5.0 per game over their last five home outings. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays 11.6 minutes per contest over their last five home games.
Marc-Andre Fleury (27.7 saves per game) has been the primary option in the crease for Vegas. Fleury has 14 wins, 12 losses, and three OT losses to his name and has recorded a pedestrian 2.81 goals against average and a .910 save percentage this season.
The Knights will be led on offense by Max Pacioretty (16 goals, 22 assists).
Arizona Coyotes vs. Vegas Golden Knights Betting Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Coyotes, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- For both of these teams, the over has hit in three of their past five outings.
- Vegas has attempted 33.8 shots per contest overall this season (the fourth-most in the NHL), and 35.2 across their last 10 games.
- The Coyotes are 10-5 SU when they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Golden Knights are 9-11 SU in games where they serve more minutes than the opposition.
- Vegas is 3-0 in games decided by a shootout this season while Arizona is 5-2 in shootouts.
- One of the best at creating pressure on their opponents, Vegas is ranked 2nd in the league this season with 9.6 takeaways per game. That figure has trended down, however, as it has averaged 8.7 takeaways over its last 10 games and 8.0 takeaways over its last five.
- Arizona skaters have averaged 7.6 takeaways per game over its last five road games, an improvement over its season average of 6.7 takeaways per game (ranked 26th).
