Golden Knights vs. Lightning Picks for Jan. 29
Two top teams will face off Saturday night when the Vegas Golden Knights travel to Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay to take on the Lightning. Read on for our Golden Knights-Lightning picks.
The Lightning picked up a 3-2 win over the lowly New Jersey Devils earlier this week. It was Tampa’s third win in its last four games, and they outscored opponents 17-12 in that streak. The Lightning are second in the Atlantic Division, two points behind first-place Florida.
Meanwhile, the Golden Knights are 1-2 last week. They started strong with a win over the Washington Capitals before losing to the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers, two elite Eastern Conference teams. Vegas is first in the Pacific Division, one point behind the Anaheim Ducks.
Here are my Golden Knights-Lightning picks and predictions for Saturday (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook, and pick confidence is based on a one-to-five-star scale).
Golden Knights vs. Lightning Game Info
Date hour: Saturday, January 29, 7:00 p.m. ET
TV: BSSUN, SportsNet RM, NHL Network
Site: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida
Golden Knights vs. Lightning Odds Analysis
The Lightning are a -135 favorite at DraftKings, which makes sense. Tampa is the hottest team, and the Lightning have scored 10 points more than Vegas in 2021-22 (both clubs have played 44 games). For anyone looking to throw some cash at the talented underdogs, you can snatch the Golden Knights at +126 (FanDuel Sportsbook).
Bettors are expecting this contest to be a high score, with DraftKings putting the total at 6 and FanDuel at 6.5. Plus pays at -120 via DraftKings (-102 at FanDuel), while Minus is offered at +100 (-120 via FanDuel).
Golden Knights vs. Lightning Picks
Lightning ML (-135) ★★★
Over 6 (-120) ★★★★
SEE ALSO: Saturday’s top NHL prop picks
Golden Knights vs Lightning Predictions
Lightning ML (-135)
The Lightning and Golden Knights have produced great base and standard stats. Vegas ranks in the top 10 in expected goals, Corsi percentage and goals per game, while Tampa ranks in the top 10 in expected goals and goals per game.
However, the Lightning is the hottest team. Tampa is 8-2-0 in its last 10 games, scoring a ridiculous 4.3 goals per game over that streak. The Golden Knights are 3-4-3 in the same span averaging just 2.7 goals per game, well below their season average of 3.34.
Tampa also has an advantage between the pipes. Andrei Vasilevskiy is having another great season while posting a 0.922 save percentage and a 2.25 goals-against average over 34 games in 2021-22.
Meanwhile, Robin Lehner has been good but not great for the Golden Knights while posting a 2.82 goals-against-average and .908 save percentage in 31 games.
More than 6 (-120)
It’s generally safe to bet the Over when the NHL’s top two offenses face off.
With leading scorer Steven Stamkos in the lead, the Lightning are averaging 3.41 goals per game. They have also combined with their opponents to score over six goals in seven of their last 10 outings.
Although the Golden Knights’ high-octane offense has dried up lately, more than six goals have been scored in six of their last 10 games. They will also get a boost when one of their top scorers returns. Wing Max Pacioretty has produced 12 goals and 21 points in 17 games in 2021-22, and will only play his second game in a month after undergoing wrist surgery.
Expect a 4-3 or 5-3 game with all offensive talent roaming the ice, and the Lightning will emerge victorious.
SEE ALSO: All selected and odds. Be sure to check out the SportsbookReview.com community forums and betting tools.
Golden Knights-Lightning picks made 01/29/2022 10:19 a.m. ET
