The Vegas Golden Knights head to Rogers Arena to play the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 10:00PM ET. Vegas enters with a 49-22-10 record and has locked up the second seed in the Western Conference. Vancouver sits at 38-29-14 and has been eliminated from playoff contention.
This is the fourth meeting of the season between the teams. Vegas has won all three previous games, including a 3-2 win in Vancouver on April 6. Both teams are playing their final regular season game. Vegas is expected to rest players, while Vancouver looks to end its year on a win.
VAN Preview – Canucks Close Out Season at Home
Vancouver is in fifth place in the Pacific and will miss the playoffs. They beat San Jose 2-1 in overtime on Monday. Jake DeBrusk scored the game-winner in OT, and goalie Nikita Tolopilo got the win in his NHL debut.
The Canucks are averaging 3.07 goals allowed per game. Goaltending has been an issue with Thatcher Demko out and backups rotating in. Quinn Hughes leads the defense with 409 career points, tied for the franchise record for defensemen.
Vancouver is 17-15-8 at home this year. They’ve struggled in overtime, going just 7-12 in games that ended past regulation. Brock Boeser and Conor Garland will try to lead the scoring against a Vegas team that has given up just 2.40 goals per game in their last five outings.
VEG Preview – Golden Knights Look Ahead to Playoffs
Vegas has secured the second spot in the West and will face Minnesota in the first round. They lost 5-4 in a shootout at Calgary on Tuesday but rested several key players. Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, Alex Pietrangelo, Noah Hanifin, and Adin Hill all sat out.
Eichel leads the team with 93 points this season. Backup goalie Ilya Samsonov started Tuesday but may rest tonight, with Hill possibly returning. Vegas has been strong on the road at 20-13-7 and has won seven of its last ten overall.
The Golden Knights are hitting the under more often than not and have one of the better penalty kills in the league. They’ve allowed only two power play goals in their last three games. Victor Olofsson had the game-winner the last time these teams met.
Betting Prediction
Vegas is a slight favorite at -110, while Vancouver is listed at -100. The total is set at 5.5. Vegas has already beaten Vancouver three times this season and should have the edge even if they rest players. Vancouver has not been able to finish well in tight games.
With playoff seeding locked up, Vegas may not play all its stars. But their depth is stronger and more balanced than Vancouver’s. This game looks like a low-scoring win for the road team. Predicted score: Vegas 3, Vancouver 2.
Pick: Golden Knights -110 over Vancouver Canucks
We are going to take Vegas to take down Vancouver on the final day of the regular season for both. We expect a good game. Enjoy the game and best of luck with all your hockey betting!
