The Vegas Golden Knights finally get the spotlight on NBCSN on Friday night, as they visit the Minnesota Wild. It has taken a while, but the TV networks are finally catching onto one of the best sports stories of the year. Not only are the Golden Knights the best expansion team in NHL history, they are actually the best team in the Western Conference and right with Tampa for the overall league lead. It is a story that hasn’t gotten nearly enough attention, as it is inconceivable that an expansion team could lead the league in points.
At 8 p.m. ET, tune into NBCSN for live television coverage of this NHL game on Friday, February 2, 2018 at the Xcel Energy Center.
We'll have NHL odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the NHL Friday schedule.
Odds Analysis
The Golden Knights just continue to amaze on the ice and at the betting window. Vegas was all but done on Tuesday night against Calgary and then within seconds they turned a likely loss into a win. They also turned a sure Under winner into one of the worst NHL bad beats in recent memory. With less than two minutes left in the game the Golden Knights trailed 2-1. They scored to tie the game and just ten seconds later they scored again and they added an empty net goal for a 4-2 final. The Golden Knights have already matched the most wins ever by an expansion team and they still have 33 games left.
Now that we have covered all of the accolades for Vegas, there is some bad news, as this is not a good spot for them on Friday. They are coming off a game in Winnipeg on Thursday night so they will be playing with no rest. It is also a 3-in-4 situation for the Golden Knights. Vegas was 14-11 in their first 25 road games, with 15 going over, 9 going under, with one push. They are scoring 3.4 goals per game and giving up 2.6 per contest.
Minnesota has had two days off to get ready for this game, as they are coming off a 3-2 shootout win at Columbus on Tuesday. The Wild are 17-8 at home, with 11 games going over the total and 14 going under. They are scoring 2.9 goals per game and giving up 2.8 per contest.
The Wild should be listed as slight home favorites in this contest, with the total listed at 5.5 over.
Special Teams
Vegas has been winning even without a great power play, as they are just 20th in the league at about 19%. They are 10th in penalty killing at about 82%. The Wild are 11th in the league on the power play at just over 20% and they are 12th in penalty killing at about 82%.
Key Stat
We have only one game to go on in terms of history, as the teams met in late November with the Wild winning 4-2 at home. The interesting stat to consider in this contest is how Vegas has done playing with no rest this season. They have faced that situation a total of nine times and they are 5-4. The interesting part about those nine games is that six of the nine went over the total.
Free NHL Picks
I think you can make a case for taking Minnesota in this contest simply based on the situation, as the Golden Knights will be playing their third game in four days and with no rest. I also think there is a solid case for taking the over based on the numbers mentioned above with Vegas playing with no rest. I will make two plays in this one and take Minnesota and the game over the total.
NHL Odds: Wild 4, Golden Knights 2
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