Madison Square Garden is playing host to an enticing matchup as the Vegas Golden Knights take on the New York Rangers. AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain will air this East-West matchup, and the puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, December 2.
Vegas Golden Knights vs. New York Rangers Odds
Netting moneyline bettors 5.1 units, the Rangers are 13-12 straight up (SU) overall thus far. That early-season winning percentage is a huge turnaround from how the team performed during last year’s regular season (32-50). Of its 25 regular season outings, 15 have gone under the total, while 10 have gone over and none have pushed. Thus far, the team’s 8-6 SU at home.
New York’s converted on 20.0 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 22nd overall, and it’s successfully killed off 77.0 percent of all penalties.
As a team, NY has been penalized 4.9 times per game overall this season, and 3.6 per game over its last five contests at home. The team has been forced to kill penalties for a whopping 15.5 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, overall.
Boasting a .912 save percentage and 31.3 saves per game, Henrik Lundqvist (7-9-2) has been the best option in goal for the Rangers this season. If they choose to rest him, however, the team may roll with Alexandar Georgiev (6-5-5 record, .912 save percentage, 3.07 goals against average).
Artemi Panarin and Ryan Strome will both spearhead the attack for the Rangers. Panarin (33 points) has tallied 12 goals and 21 assists and has recorded two or more points 12 times this year. Strome has six goals and 17 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 16 games.
On the other bench, Vegas is 13-15 straight up (SU) and has lost 10.7 units for moneyline bettors thus far. A total of 14 of its contests have gone over the total, while 13 have gone under the total and just one has pushed. Vegas’ 6-7 SU as the road team this season.
Vegas has scored on 21.1 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s good enough for ninth-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked sixth overall and it’s successfully defended 84.6 percent of all penalties.
Vegas’ skaters have been penalized 3.8 times per game this season, and 2.7 per game over their past ten games. The team’s been forced to kill penalties just 5.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Marc-Andre Fleury (27.8 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Vegas. Fleury owns an 11-9-2 record, while registering a .919 save percentage and 2.54 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Golden Knights, the offense will run through Max Pacioretty (nine goals, 16 assists) and William Karlsson (eight goals, 15 assists).
Vegas Golden Knights at New York Rangers Betting Predictions
NHL Tip: SU Winner – Golden Knights, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- The total has gone under in four of New York’s last five outings.
- Vegas has attempted 33.6 shots per game overall this season (the second-most in the NHL), and 27.8 in its last five road outings.
- The Rangers are 6-6 SU in games where they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Golden Knights are 6-6 SU when they serve more minutes than their opponent.
- New York skaters have managed 11.6 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 8.5 takeaways per game (ranked 8th).
- Vegas is ranked first overall with 10.0 takeaways per game. That figure has trended down lately, however, as it’s forced 9.3 takeaways over its last 10 games and 9.0 takeaways over its last five.
