The action in the 2023-24 season has really started heating up over the past few weeks, and that trend will continue moving forward. There are some big games on the schedule on Thursday night, including the Florida Panthers visiting the Vegas Golden Knights.
Florida is coming into this game on a long winning streak, and they are looking like one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. The Panthers are now up to 48 points on the year, and they are sitting in second place in the conference.
Vegas is the defending Stanley Cup champions, but things have not been going well over the last few weeks. The Golden Knights have dropped four of their last five games, but they are still sitting at 49 points on the year.
It is the Florida Panthers that are actually the moneyline betting favorites at -120 on the road in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Panthers Can Really Defend
Most teams in the NHL are focused on scoring goals and winning games with offense, but that’s not how the Panthers play. Florida is allowing just 2.51 goals per game this season, and they have really shut down some other teams during this winning streak.
The Panthers have killed off 83 percent of their own penalties this season, and that is something to keep an eye on in this game. Scoring goals is going to have to be a focus of Florida in this game, but that’s not something they always do well.
Sam Reinhart is having a huge season for the Panthers as he has scored 21 goals and leads the team with 45 total points.
Vegas Great on Special Teams
There are a number of ways that the Golden Knights have struggled this season, but they are one of the best teams in the league on special teams. Vegas has scored on the power play 22 percent of the time, while also killing off 80 percent of their own penalties.
There are a ton of stars on this team for Vegas, and that makes them a hard team to defend throughout a game. Jack Eichel is setting the tone with 40 points this season, but there are other great offensive players as well.
The Golden Knights are going to have to find a way to breakthrough the Florida defense to win this game, but rolling with four lines will be a big key in this game.
Golden Knights Get Big Win
This is going to be a game in which both teams have a ton of weapons, but it will actually be the defensive end of the ice that is going to determine this game. Vegas is dealing with some injury concerns, but playing at home is going to give them a big boost in this one.
The Panthers are not going to continue to win games forever, and this is going to be a matchup in which they struggle to score. Florida deserves to be favored based on recent results, but they are going to have a tough time against the Golden Knights.
Bet on the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday night as they come up with a big win in this game.
