Winners of eight of 10 and five straight at home, the Vegas Golden Knights have found their footing in their own barn but have yet to prove they can consistently succeed on the road in 2018-19. The Knights, who boast a 10-3-1 SU record in Sin City compared to a 7-11-0 mark away from Nevada, will look to buck that trend in Brooklyn tonight. Sportsbooks opened the Islanders as +120 home underdogs with a total of 6.
- The Golden Knights are 8-2 SU in their last 10 games.
- The total has gone OVER in six of the Golden Knights’ last eight games.
- The Islanders are 2-4 SU in their last six home games.
Golden Knights vs Islanders Game Center
Knights could receive a boost with Stastny set to return
Vegas is kicking off a four-game road trip in New York against the only team in the NHL the Golden Knights have yet to beat – the Islanders. The Vegas power play has been firing on all cylinders lately, as the squad has converted with the man advantage in 12 of its past 17 contests.
Center Paul Stastny, who’s been sidelined for more than two months after suffering a lower-body injury in the third game of the season, participated in Tuesday’s practice and could be back in the lineup tonight.
Isles need to jump-start their stagnant offense
The Islanders swept the season series with the Golden Knights in 2017-18 and will be attempting to hold the Knights at bay in this one. New York’s offense has dried up of late, as the Isles have scored a combined 12 goals while dropping five of their past seven games (2-3-2), including a 2-1 shootout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday.
Anthony Beauvillier, the Isles’ 2015 first-round pick, hasn’t had any problems finding the back of the net lately, as the 21-year-old has scored seven of his eight goals over the past 12 tilts.
Vegas is trending OVER in recent weeks
The Golden Knights are trending OVER in this matchup, as six of their past eight contests have eclipsed the closing total. It’s the same story on the road, evidenced by Vegas going OVER in five of its previous seven. The Islanders simply haven’t been producing when playing at home of late. Entering tonight’s game, New York has dropped four of its past six home contests.
Fleury, Lehner set to start in net
Marc-Andre Fleury and Robin Lehner are listed as the probable goalies. Fleury (17-10-1, 2.50 goals-against average, .908 save percentage) has fared much better of late and now has five shutouts on the season. Lehner (4-5-3, 2.63 GAA, .916 SV%) stopped 23 of 24 shots vs the Pens on Monday and has turned aside 58 of 68 shots in his past two appearances.
