Lightning favored over Golden Knights
A top-tier billing is on the NHL betting docket as the high-flying Vegas Golden Knights descend on the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night. The hosts got back on track with a win at home over the Philadelphia Flyers while the Sin City residents are coming off a road loss to the Florida Panthers.
Predictably, the NHL odds are cornered with the Lightning at home. Having said that, the Golden Knights can’t be underestimated. If there is a team that could deliver the upset on the road, it’s Vegas.
We weigh in on this matchup, analyze the odds and serve up choice NHL predictions and picks.
Golden Knights Succumb to Defeat in Florida
Vegas is flying high in the Pacific Division, tied with the Los Angeles Kings in first place with 82 points. The Golden Knights are 38-20-6 through 64 games and they have a game in hand over the Kings.
Recent form is an encouraging 6-2-2 in their last 10 games, but a recent 2-1 loss to the Panthers saw them drop precious points. Vegas’ average stats during the last 10 games are: 2.6 goals scored, 4.3 assists, 2.7 penalties and 5.7 penalty minutes while giving up 2.4 goals per game.
The Panthers’ defense gave the Golden Knights fits, thwarting them at every single turn. Florida jumped out to the 1-0 lead in the first five minutes of the game. Then, they took the 2-0 lead early in the second period. Shea Theodore got Vegas on the board with a power-play goal at 13:23 in the second period, but that was all Vegas could do.
We are very proud of @LVMPDCCAC Ofc. Stebbins who was honored during the @GoldenKnights game today! pic.twitter.com/9BsdOPk8Bl
— LVMPD (@LVMPD) March 6, 2023
Lightning Bolt to Victory
Tampa Bay is 38-21-5 with 81 points from 64 games. The Lightning are third in the Atlantic Division, five points adrift of second-placed Toronto Maple Leafs and 22 points adrift of the Boston Bruins.
The Lightning finally snapped a five-game losing streak with a win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night. On the heels of this much-needed victory, they improved to a 3-5-2 record in their last 10 games and to a 23-5-4 record in home games. During this recent poor stretch of form, they’re averaging 3.4 goals, 6.3 assists, 4.2 penalties and 10.9 penalty minutes while giving up 3.9 goals per game.
Nikita Kucherov and Alex Killorn both scored twice in Tampa Bay’s 5-2 win at home over the Flyers while Ross Colton scored his 15th goal of the season to cap his side’s encouraging performance. Braydon Point has seven goals and seven assists in the last 10 games.
The Lightning have been without their star defenseman Victor Hedman since he crashed into the boards midway through Tampa Bay’s 6-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday. As per the latest NHL news, Hedman is dealing with a back injury and is listed day-to-day.
Nikita Kucherov zips home the power play one-timer to give Tampa the lead at the start of the 2nd!#GoBolts pic.twitter.com/HMlmnxNYM6
— InHale Sports (@InHaleSport) March 8, 2023
Golden Knights vs Lightning Game Injuries
Golden Knights vs Lightning Head-to-Head
This is the second meeting between the Golden Knights and Lightning this season. Vegas is 1-0 in the head-to-head series, but Tampa Bay will be eager to level the score and extend its winning form to two straight games.
Golden Knights vs Lightning Game Information
- Game: Golden Knights (38-20-6) vs Lightning (38-21-5)
- Location: Amelia Arena, Tampa, FL
- Day/Time: Thursday, March 9, 7:07 p.m. ET
- Golden Knights vs Lightning Live Stream: NHL.TV
Golden Knights vs Lightning Betting Lines
Golden Knights vs Lightning Picks and Prediction
This is the second meeting between the Golden Knights and Lightning this season. Vegas is 1-0 in the head-to-head series, but Tampa Bay will be eager to level the score and extend its winning form to two straight games.
As it is, the sports betting markets are in accord, tipping the hosts as the firm favorites to win outright. However, very little separates this pair in terms of their overall season and contender credentials. That means this game is up for grabs.
Betters could do no worse than back either side to victory. Tampa Bay should win, but Vegas could win. It’s a tossup for NHL picks, as such.
Tampa Bay is listed at -165 in our Vegas lines. So, if you wager $100 on the Lightning, there’s a chance to win $61. Vegas is +145, with a chance to win $145 on a $100 wager.
The implied probability attached to the betting lines gives Tampa Bay a 62.26% chance to win, with the Golden Knights at 40.82%.
Golden Knights vs Lightning Trends
Golden Knights vs Lightning Edge
Golden Knights vs Lightning Results
Golden Knights vs Lightning Game Summary
