Saturday’s NHL slate features a heavyweight battle between two divisional leaders as the Carolina Hurricanes (43-12-8) host the Vegas Golden Knights (39-20-6).
Bookmaker BetOnline has the odds at -190 for Carolina to win and at +171 for Vegas to get the two points. The goals total stands at 6.0 with the odds for the over at -109 and for the under at -101.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: March 10th, 7:30 P.M. (EST)
Carolina is topping the Metropolitan Division and heads out for a fifth consecutive win, while Vegas is sitting at the top of the Pacific Division. Both teams are full of quality and this should clash should be a real treat for hockey fans.
The Hurricanes are the overwhelming favorites for the contest but you definitely can’t underestimate the Vegas squad. The team hit a rough patch back in January but has bounced back now and owns an outstanding 10-2-2 record across its last 14 games. The offense has really come alive with Jack Eichel hitting form and it’s always been difficult to score against the Golden Knights.
Eichel has had plenty of critics this season and his early-season play was disappointing, but the star centerman has now gone scoreless just two times in his past 13 appearances and is clearly enjoying playing with more skillful linemates.
Power forwards William Carrier and Paul Cotter have seen a lot of ice time with Eichel this season, but Vegas head coach Bruce Cassidy has rolled with new addition Ivan Barbashev and Jonathan Marchessault next to him in recent games and the results speak for themselves – Vegas is 4-1-0 since Barbashev joined the gang.
Things have also worked out well for Carolina’s new man Shayne Gostisbehere, and with him in the lineup, the team now looks stacked from top to bottom. And this even with former Golden Knight Max Pacioretty out for the season with an Achilles tear.
The Hurricanes have the second-best defensive record in the league and also have a top-eight offense. It’s very tough to beat Rod Brind’Amour’s men, especially in their own barn, where Carolina has gone 23-7-2 this season.
There could be revenge in mind for the Hurricanes players as well on Saturday after they lost their first meeting with the Golden Knights this season 3-2. Vegas ended a three-game losing streak in the match-up at the start of the month, getting two goals from Eichel. It was a very tight affair and it would be surprising if things turned out differently on Saturday.
