In their first of three head-to-head meetings this season, the Vegas Golden Knights and the St. Louis Blues face off at the Enterprise Center for a Western Conference tilt. The puck drops at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 1, and fans at home can witness the game live on AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain.
Vegas Golden Knights at 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 outings, eight of its games have gone under the total, while four have gone over and none have pushed. The Knights are 2-4 SU on the road in 2018-19.
The Golden Knights have converted on 12.2 percent of their power play chances so far. That’s a fairly big drop-off from last year, when they were ranked 15th in the NHL by converting on 21.0 percent of their extra-man chances. Their penalty kill has improved slightly, however, as they’ve gone from successfully defending 81.3 percent of all opponent power plays (ranked ninth overall last year) to 81.8 percent this year.
The Knights, as a collective unit, have been whistled for penalties just 3.2 times per game this season, a number that is pretty close to last year’s 3.6 penalties per game. After serving an average of 7.9 penalty minutes per game a season ago the team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays for 7.5 minutes per outing this year.
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 year. If Vegas chooses to rest him, however, they might turn to Malcolm Subban (0-3 record, .881 save percentage, 2.83 goals against average).
Jonathan Marchessault and William Karlsson will both spearhead the attack 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 name, and has logged a point in six games.
St. Louis is 3-7 straight up (SU) and has already lost 5.7 units for moneyline bettors this year. Six of its games have gone over the total, while three have gone under and just one has pushed. It’s 2-4 SU as the home team this season.
The Blues have converted on 30.2 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s good enough for fourth-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 16th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 78.8 percent of all penalties.
Blues skaters have been penalized only 3.8 times per game this season. Last year, that number was at 3.3, the third-best mark in the NHL. After serving an average of 7.7 penalty minutes per game a season ago the team’s had to kill penalties for 8.2 minutes per contest this year.
Jake Allen (25.3 saves per game) has been the top selection in goal for the Blues. Allen has three wins, six losses, and three OT losses and has maintained a mediocre 3.99 goals against average and a fairly-weak .874 save percentage this season.
Ryan O’Reilly (three goals, 11 assists) will pace the attack for the Blues.
Vegas Golden Knights at St. Louis Blues Betting Predictions
NHL Tip: SU Winner – Blues, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Trends
After posting a 4-3 record in games decided by a shootout last year, Vegas is off to a 1-1 start in shootouts this season. St. Louis went 3-0 in shootouts last year and has yet to participate in one this time around.
The total has gone over in three of St. Louis’ last five outings.
Vegas skaters recorded 24.9 hits per game last season, while the Blues logged 23.1 hits per matchup.
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