The end of the 2023-24 NHL regular season is almost here, but there is a big game in Las Vegas before things officially end. It will be the Anaheim Ducks visiting the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday night for the final regular season game of the year.
Anaheim comes into this game with 57 total points on the year, and they are going to be looking to improve through the NHL Draft. The Ducks have gone just 1-4 in their last five games this season, but they have also played the Golden Knights tough.
Vegas comes into this game having won three straight games, and every win is important at this point of the season. The Golden Knights are currently sitting at 98 total points, and in third place in the Pacific Division.
The over/under line for this game is set at six goals and the Golden Knights are at -340 on the moneyline.
Ducks Have to Defend
The Anaheim Ducks have had trouble slowing down opponents this season, and that is going to be something to watch in this matchup. Anaheim is allowing 3.6 goals per game, and they have managed to kill off just 72 percent of their own penalties.
The Ducks do have some young talent on the roster, but not enough to keep pace with the best teams in the league. Anaheim is scoring just 2.46 goals per game, and at some point that will need to improve.
Frank Vatrano has had a big season up to this point as he leads the team with 34 total goals. Anaheim will look to Vatrano to set the tone in this matchup.
Golden Knights Are Deep
The Golden Knights are not a team with a superstar, but they continue to play all four of their scoring lines in each game. Vegas is scoring 3.23 goals per game this season, and they score on the power play 20 percent of the time.
Jonathan Marchessault has been the offensive star for Vegas in recent years, and that has been the case so far in 2023-24. Marchessault leads the team with 42 goals and 69 points, but he has gotten some help as well.
Vegas is allowing less than three goals per game this season as well, and that is another way in which this team can take over a game.
Golden Knights Get it Done
Anaheim is a team that showed some progress and growth this season, but not enough to be competitive on a daily basis in the NHL. This team has been fading in a big way down the stretch, and they are going to struggle to keep pace in this matchup.
Vegas comes into this game needing to pick up a win, and they look like they are peaking at the right time. The Golden Knights have not been as dominant this season, but they shouldn’t have much trouble taking control of this game.
Bet the Vegas Golden Knights at -1.5 on the puck line as they win this game outright and also push the total goals to more than six.
