Predators vs. Golden Knights Odds
Predators Odds | +118 |
Golden Knights Odds | -142 |
Over / Under | 5.5 -130 / +106 |
Here's everything you need to know about the Nashville Predators vs. Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, February 20 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
The under has been a profitable bet when these two teams have squared off recently, going 2-0-1 over the past three meetings.
Will we see another low-scoring affair on Tuesday, or can the goals pick up this time around?
Let's dig into the matchup, look over the Predators vs. Golden Knights odds and make a betting prediction.
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Goaltender Juuse Saros is slated to guard the cage for Nashville on Tuesday evening and should be a good candidate to back.
There's been some turbulence for the all-world goaltender this season, but this is still one of the best netminders in the league, and I will continue to buy low on him.
Saros also possesses a tremendous track record against Vegas, boasting a .921 SV% and 3.02 GAA through 10 career starts. The Preds' defense has also not played as poorly as it appears, ranking in the top half of the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) at 5-on-5.
The offense, however, has been a different story. This season, the Predators rank in the bottom half of the league in goals scored per game, shots on goal per game, power play percentage and shooting percentage.
These offensive woes are likely to continue against the Golden Knights, one of the best defensive teams in the league. Entering this matchup, they rank in the top 12 in goals allowed per game, penalty kill percentage and penalty minutes taken per game.
They also rank in the top half of the league in xGA/60 at 5-on-5. Backing up this defensively stingy group is goaltender Adin Hill, who has been riding the hot hand ever since his tremendous Cup run last season.
Through 21 starts this year, Hill is 14-4-2 with a dominating .931 SV% and 2.06 GAA. There have now been five or fewer total goals scored in eight of his past 11 starts.
Another aspect of this trend is that Vegas just hovers around the league average in almost every offensive category. The injury to Jack Eichel, who is now on LTIR, has certainly not helped as this team is averaging just 2.7 goals scored over its past six games.
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Predators vs. Golden Knights
Betting Pick & Prediction
A Hill/Saros matchup is one that can definitely lead to a low-scoring affair, especially when you look at their respective track records against tonight's opponent.
I already discussed Saros' history above, but Hill is also 2-0 against Nashville in his career with a ridiculous .978 SV% and 0.50 GAA.
Those numbers are obviously not sustainable, but I am still confident in his ability to limit the Preds' below-average offense once again.
On the other hand, the Knights are banged up without Eichel, and the ramifications of this injury have started to kick in recently, at least in the offensive department.
Both defenses also do an excellent job in limiting high-danger scoring chances.