Vegas Golden Knights vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction NHL Picks 10/17/24

In this article, we will formulate a Vegas Golden Knights vs Tampa Bay Lightning prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, October 17th at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup. 

Vegas Golden Knights Betting Preview

The Vegas Golden Knights are 3-1-0 this season after they lost to Washington by a score of 4-2 in their last game. Vegas tied the game at one in the first period, but they allowed the next three goals in the game for the loss. The Golden Knights outshot Washington by a total of 26-22, won 45.5% of the face-offs, and went 1-4 on the power play in the game. Vegas got goals from Eichel and Olofsson, while Hill stopped 18 out of 22 shots in the loss. 

Vegas had started the season with three straight wins over Colorado, St. Louis, and Anaheim. The Golden Knights have scored 4.25 goals per game and they have allowed 3.00 goals against per game, while also going 30.8% on the power play and 66.7% on the penalty kill this season. Mark Stone and Jack Eichel have led Vegas with eight points each, while Adin Hill is 2-1-0 with a 3.72 goals-against average and a .855 save percentage this year. 

Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Lightning are 2-0-0 this year after they defeated Vancouver by a score of 4-1 in their last game. Tampa Bay took a 3-0 lead early in the third period and they coasted to the easy win. The Lightning recorded 27 shots on goal, won 45.1% of the face-offs, and went 0-5 on the power play in the game. Tampa Bay got goals from Cirelli, Hagel, Kucherov, and Point, while Vasilevskiy stopped 26 out of 27 shots in the win. 

Tampa Bay also defeated Carolina by a score of 4-1 in their first game of the season. The Lightning have scored 4.00 goals per game and they have allowed 1.00 goals against per game, while also going 18.2% on the power play and 85.7% on the penalty kill this season. Nikita Kucherov has led Tampa Bay with four goals, one assist, and 11 shots on goal, while Andrei Vasilevskiy is 2-0-0 with a 1.00 goals-against average and a .958 save percentage this year. 

Why the Golden Knights will beat the Lightning

• The Golden Knights have won four of their last five games as underdogs against the Lightning.
• The Lightning have lost each of their last four games following a home win.
• The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the last seven games between the Golden Knights and Lightning.
• The Lightning have failed to cover the puck line in three of their last four games following a home win.
• The Golden Knights have won the third period in each of their last three games following a road loss.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Golden Knights’ last eight night games against Atlantic Division opponents has gone OVER the total goal line.
• Each of the Lightning’s last five night games at Amalie Arena following a win has gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Golden Knights’ last eight road games against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the last four games between the Golden Knights and Lightning.

Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts

• Nikita Kucherov has recorded at least one point in each of the Lightning’s last 16 games at Amalie Arena.
• Nikita Kucherov has recorded at least one assist in each of the Lightning’s last 12 Thursday home games.
• Jake Guentzel has scored a goal in five of his six previous appearances with his team as a favorite against the Golden Knights.

Vegas Golden Knights Player Prop Facts

• Shea Theodore has recorded at least one point in each of his last eight appearances with the Golden Knights as road underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
• Mark Stone has recorded at least one assist in each of his last 10 Thursday night appearances.

Vegas Golden Knights vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction 

Tampa Bay comes into this matchup with only two games played so far, as they had one game postponed due to weather issues in North Carolina. The Lightning have outscored their opponents 8-2 in their first two games, but will take on a very good Vegas team here. The Golden Knights did lose their last game on the road, but they opened the season with three straight wins. Both of these teams have looked very good in a limited sample size, but I am going to side with Vegas here. I think this Lightning team has played above their norm to start the season and I think we will see some regression here. Take the Golden Knights to win.