Vegas Golden Knights @ St. Louis Blues - January 23, 2025

As the Vegas Golden Knights prepare to take on the St. Louis Blues at the Enterprise Center, it’s clear that this matchup is more than just a game; it’s an opportunity for both teams to solidify their standing in an increasingly competitive NHL landscape. With Vegas coming in as -143 moneyline favorites and the total set at 7.5, expectations are high, particularly given their recent performance.

The Golden Knights have a solid overall record of 29-12-3 SU, and while they may have stumbled recently—going 1-6 SU in their last seven games—their offensive statistics paint a picture of a team that can score with efficiency. Averaging 3.4 goals per game with over 30 shots on goal suggests that they know how to create opportunities. Their power play percentage at 27% also indicates they capitalize well when given chances, further complicating life for opposing defenses.

On the other hand, we’ve got the Blues who enter this match with a less impressive record of 21-20-4 SU but are currently showing signs of life with a recent uptick, having gone 4-2 SU in their last six outings. However, their offensive stats—averaging just under three goals per game and possessing a shooting percentage around 10.7%—suggest they’re struggling to find consistent scoring against higher-tier opponents.

Defensively speaking, both teams have shown vulnerabilities that could play significant roles tonight. The Golden Knights boast an admirable save percentage of nearly 90%, but their penalty kill sits at only 77%. Conversely, St. Louis has struggled even more with their penalty kill sitting at just above 73%, which means if Vegas can draw penalties, they should be able to exploit this weakness effectively.

Considering these factors along with historical context—St. Louis was able to pull off an impressive win against Vegas last time out—it seems like momentum might be on their side as well. Yet winning as +160 underdogs doesn’t always translate into success when facing such formidable opposition again so soon.

Looking ahead to predictions for this contest: I believe Vegas will not only secure victory but also cover the spread effectively given their offensive capabilities paired with St. Louis’s defensive frailties. Additionally, I anticipate the game finishing under the total points line due largely to St. Louis’s difficulties in generating offense consistently and engaging in tight-checking play typical of divisional rivals vying for critical points.

Both teams need these points for different reasons; one aiming to cement its place atop the standings while the other struggles for relevance amidst playoff hopes fading fast. Expect tactical adjustments from both benches as strategies evolve during play—but ultimately look for Vegas to emerge victorious once again on this stage tonight.