Vegas Golden Knights vs Arizona Coyotes Odds Preview
The Knights are in a dogfight with the Kings for third in the Pacific Division
With seven games left, the Vegas Golden Knights (42-25-8, 92 points) can still catch the Edmonton Oilers (95 points) for second in the Pacific Division, but the Oilers have a game in hand in the NHL playoff standings.
Right behind VGK are the Los Angeles Kings (91 points) for the third spot in the divisions with Vegas owning a game in hand over their closest threat. Welcome to playoff hockey before the playoffs. Unfortunately, the Arizona Coyotes (31-39-5, 67 points) are in a familiar position of spoiler.
NHL betting odds have the Knights as a -170 road favorite after opening -163 with a total of 6 (-110). The puck is scheduled to drop at 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT and can be seen on SCRIPPS. Now it’s time to jump into our Golden Knights vs Coyotes odds preview.
Vegas Golden Knights vs Arizona Coyotes 
Day/Time:
Location: Mullett Arena, Arizona
Streaming: SCRIPPS
Momentum Change In The Desert
Most of us knew it was a matter of time before Bruce Cassidy had his team peaking, and it seems that time is now after putting together a seven-game point streak (6-0-1). That would be a run that included massive victories over the Canucks (6-3) and a tough win at Winnipeg.
Vegas managed to steal a point away from Nashville during their 18-game point streak. That loss seemed to take more out of Nashville who proceeded to drop the next three games.
The only roadblock standing in the way of the Knights and the postseason is finding a way to reach for the same intensity levels against the Coyotes as they would against the Vancouver Canucks. That will be put to the test tonight but everyone in the Vegas locker room seems focused on taking it game by game.
As usual, VGK is still dealing with injuries with Mark Stone, William Carrier, and Adin Hill out of the line-up, but it does appear that Tomas Hertl is close to returning after skating this week without the non-contact jersey. The target for his return is Monday in Vancouver.
Coyotes Play Through Despite Distractions
These days it’s more about where the Coyotes will play rather than how they will play. For bettors, you have to think this can’t be positive on the ice in front of what may seem like a Knights home game at the Mullett.
Despite the constant arena issues that have plagued the ‘Yotes for years, they haven’t been a pushover on the ice after winning five of their last four games. Match-ups against the Knights have been difficult over the years but with Arizona winning two of the last three meetings, this won’t be a pushover.
Of course, everyone remembers when William Karlsson named the Coyotes in a derogatory way during his Stanley Cup speech last year, adding fuel to the flames. The teams have split two meetings this season with the Coyotes winning at Vegas in November (2-0) while the Knights returning the favor (3-2) in early February.
NHL betting stats show that wagers on Arizona this season have been a waste of money with -10.36 units lost, their fourth worst season against the moneyline since 2005. We end our Knights vs Coyotes odds preview without an official selection.
It All Depends On Your Bankroll
You always should shop around to various books to get the best number, but no matter how much looking around the betting public will do for this one, the best they’ll find is Vegas -167. Now we have to determine if that number is one that you’re willing to lay with the Knights who are the only side in this one.
If you’ve had a good season then go all-in with VGK, but -170 (consensus) is a lot to lay if you’re trying to keep your head above water. We would also ask bettors to tread lightly because teams who are a -170 favorite this season are just 7-8 (-3.88 units) and just 21-19 (-6.64 units) over the last three years.
If we expand that number to a range of -165 to -175, the numbers are similar with a 39-36 record (-13.08 units) this season and 152-109 (.582) over the last three seasons (-19.73 units).
Vegas is your official wager but we wouldn’t recommend putting too much of your bankroll into your wager.
For NHL betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
