Dallas at Vegas -110 O/U 6
Recommendation: Vegas
The betting markets have been hesitant and reluctant all season to formulate the opinion that maybe, just maybe the expansion franchise Vegas Golden Knights are a legitimately good hockey team. Despite being in Year #1 of their existence, this squad has been an undervalued commodity right from the beginning of the season with the Knights leading the Pacific Division with a 15-7 overall record and that includes a near perfect record of 9-1 on home ice for Vegas here at T-Mobile Arena. Vegas has more offensive firepower than many people thought as the team is averaging a whopping 4.4 goals per game in their home games. James Neal has been an offensive catalyst for the team but lately he has gotten plenty of support from William Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault. Karlsson has scored at least once and recorded multiple points in each victory during the Golden Knights current five game winning streak while Marchessault has recorded a goal and two assists in each of the last three games for Vegas. The Vegas Golden Knights have used a very aggressive, fast skating style to frustrate opponents and they’ve done a remarkable job to attain the record they have in spite of the fact they have been forced to use five different goaltenders this season due to cluster injuries at the most important position there is in hockey. They’ve beaten the majority of the better teams in the Western Conference as well notching quality victories against Chicago, St. Louis, San Jose, Winnipeg, Los Angeles and Anaheim and overall the Golden Knights are a terrific 12-1 in games against conference foes this season. The Dallas Stars are playing better winning three of their last four games but all of those wins came on home ice. Dallas has struggled mightily to pick up wins away from home as they enter this matchup at 3-9 this season on the road including a five game winless streak in their last five road games. The difference in the quality of play from the Stars from being at home to being on the road goes right to their #1 goalie Ben Bishop as well who has posted below average numbers on the road. Bishop is 2-6 with a 4.04 goals against average and .872 save percentage on the road which are very subpar figures. Dallas still has to prove they can beat quality foes on the road. It’s time to start treating Vegas like a quality team. Once again, the Golden Knights are undervalued at home and once again I will back them at this bargain price tag.
