The Nashville Predators visit the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday night, with puck drop set for 10:00 p.m. ET at T-Mobile Arena. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Vegas is a -162 favorite on the Moneyline, while the total is set at O/U 6.5 goals.
Below, I’ll break down the matchup and provide my top Golden Knights vs. Predators prediction and best bet.
Golden Knights vs. Predators Odds
| Market | Nashville Predators | Vegas Golden Knights |
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | +136 | -162 |
| Puck Line | +1.5 (-180) | -1.5 (+150) |
| Total | Over 6.5 (+114) | Under 6.5 (-135) |
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook and subject to change.
Golden Knights vs. Predators Betting Preview
Vegas Golden Knights Outlook
Vegas has won four straight games and is 7-3-0 at home, and it’s been the defense that has done most of the heavy lifting. Over the past 10 games, the Golden Knights rank fourth in xGoals against per 60 (2.77) and have allowed the fifth-fewest high-danger shots. The offense, however, has scored just 1.88 goals per 60 at 5v5 (28th) on 2.35 5v5 xGoals per 60 (T-22nd), and its 47.0% 5v5 Corsi% sits T-27th. The season-long numbers still look strong, with a 55.1% xGoals share that ranks fifth.
Jack Eichel (9G, 17A) leads the team with 26 points, and Mark Stone (10G, 10A) leads the club in goals. Tomas Hertl has generated a team-high 8.8 xGoals, and the power play has been a weapon, ranking fifth (27.9%). Noah Hanifin (undisclosed) is week-to-week after missing Wednesday’s game against Utah, and that’s a big loss, as he leads Vegas with 34 blocked shots. Adin Hill likely draws the start between the pipes, and he is 7-2-0 with a .903 SV% and 2.54 GAA. His +2.3 GSAx and +0.45% SV% above expected rank 18th and 21st, respectively, among 76 goaltenders.
Nashville Predators Outlook
Nashville has been rolling lately, with six straight wins and a 7-1-2 record over its last 10 games. Juuse Saros has been a big reason for that, allowing just two goals across his past three starts, including a 30-save shutout in a 3-0 win over the Kings on Tuesday. Justus Annunen started Wednesday against the Ducks, so Saros enters tonight with extra rest, too. On the season, Saros sports a 6-3-4 record with a .918 SV% and 2.42 GAA, and his +9.3 GSAx ranks fourth.
Over the past 10 games, the Predators have generated 2.66 5v5 xGoals per 60 (eighth), and they’ve allowed just 2.14 goals per 60 in all situations (third-fewest) against 3.12 xGoals against per 60 (15th). Their 46.0% 5v5 Corsi% in that span (T-30th) means they spend plenty of time in their own end, so Saros is standing on his head most of the time. Roman Josi (2G, 20A) and Filip Forsberg (7G, 15A) share the team lead with 22 points. Nashville has also been a tough team to beat on the road, going 4-1-3, with its only regulation loss coming in Boston on Oct. 22.
Golden Knights vs. Predators Prediction and Best Bet
Vegas won the most recent meeting 5-2 in Nashville on Oct. 13, when Saros allowed five goals on 25 shots, and I’ll admit the Golden Knights are the better team on paper. Still, Nashville is a stellar 8-2-3 since that loss, and Vegas’ 5v5 offense has pretty much dried up. Plus, the Predators have been creating more chances at 5v5 and have the better goaltender tonight. Half of Nashville’s road games have gone past regulation, and it has lost only once in regulation on the road, so it’s hard to see the Predators getting blown out in this scenario. At +136, I’ll back a team that’s been hot as of late.
Best Bet: Predators Moneyline (+136)
Advanced stats courtesy of MoneyPuck.
