Golden Knights Huge Favorites
The Vegas Golden Knights snapped a three-game skid and now have a solid chance of winning a second straight game. They visit the Arizona Coyotes as large favorites on the NHL betting lines. Arizona has lost three of their last four games and is just 6-19-1 at home. It has returned to the bottom of the NHL standings.
Golden Knights vs Coyotes Game Information
- Game: Vegas Golden Knights (29-18-4) at Arizona Coyotes (13-34-4)
- Location: Gila River
- Day/Time: Friday, 9:05 p.m. ET
- Television: AT&T Sportsnet Rocky Mountain
How is Newest Golden Knight?
It was a memorable night for Jack Eichel against the San Jose Sharks. The former Buffalo Sabre scored a goal and a helper as the Vegas Golden Knights won their first game with him on the ice. Eichel adds a much-needed boost to Vegas’ injury-riddled lineup. Vegas has not been the same elite team it was last season.
It’s official, @jackeichel has arrived @GoldenKnights fans. 😎 pic.twitter.com/OaPPJ2xf5y
— NHL (@NHL) February 21, 2022
The Golden Knights are 4.5 units down on the moneyline thanks to a 21-14 record as a favorite. They have been on the wrong end of large upsets this season, like against Chicago and Philadelphia. The Knights also needed overtime to beat the hapless Montreal Canadiens as -320 favorites.
Eichel improves Vegas’ offense, which it will need more and more of given its subpar power play and goaltending. Vegas will not be able to dominate opponents like before. But if its scoring can pick up, it will outscore most teams with no issues. Betting online on the over in totals may be a sound strategy moving forward.
Future Remains Bleak for Coyotes
The Arizona Coyotes will be major sellers come the NHL trade deadline. This much is certain. It’s a question of which players the Coyotes will be able to sell … if there are any.
Clayton Keller leads the team in goals and points and should be off-limits in trade talks as the team’s cornerstone. Veterans like Phil Kessel and Shayne Gostisbehere are also candidates to be moved while Jakob Chychrun is constantly being discussed, though he has been abysmal this season with a team-worst -28.
Arizona is playing in a tiny arena, its future is uncertain and it barely has any assets to use to build on its future. From an online sports betting standpoint, this team is also tough to sell with a 23-25 record on the puck line.
Golden Knights vs Coyotes Head-to-Head
The Vegas Golden Knights have dominated the Arizona Coyotes for the past two seasons with an 8-2-0 record in their last 10 meetings. The Coyotes are also just 1-3 in their last four home games against Vegas, with their last game being a 7-1 blowout loss.
Golden Knights vs Coyotes Prediction
It’s tough to lean on the Vegas Golden Knights at such short odds, so let’s go with their puckline. Vegas is still one of the best 5v5 teams, especially from an offensive standpoint. This team plays fast and hard and now has a legitimate star at center in Eichel. Their weaknesses on the power play and goaltending won’t matter much against Arizona.
The Coyotes average the second-fewest goals at home at just 2.3 and have the worst penalty kill at 68.8 percent. Even if Karel Vejmelka or Scott Wedgewood stand on their head, Vegas will be all over them. This should be a rout for the Golden Knights.
