The Tampa Bay Lightning (19-6-4) travel to Las Vegas to take on the Golden Knights (20-11) on Tuesday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The game is scheduled for 7:00 P.M. PST.
The leaders of the Atlantic in the Lightning have not played since December 16, when they defeated Ottawa 2-1. They have had two games postponed due to covid concerns since then.
Vegas leads the Pacific and recently defeated the Islanders on Sunday 4-3.
These two top-tier squads will battle on Tuesday under the bright lights of Las Vegas.
Lighting at Golden Knights Betting Preview
Vegas Golden Knights Preview: Scoring in Bunches
The Knights are an offensive-based team without question. They rank second in the NHL in goals scored with a total of 108. This helps them consistently overcome an underwhelming defense that has surrendered 94 goals which ranks 23rd in the league.
However, it was a defender who led the scoring attack in Las Vegas’s victory over New York on Sunday. Shea Theodore found the back of the net twice to pace the Golden Knights. Theodore’s effort saved the game for the Knights and helped them go on to win.
For the season, Las Vegas has seen a number of quality scorers emerge on the team. Jonathan Marchessault paces the team with 14 goals to his credit. Max Pacioretty has scored 12 times, and Reily Smith has found the back of the net on ten different occasions.
Chandler Stephenson leads the Golden Knights with 21 assists on the season. His numbers have led the Knights to a fourth-place ranking in the entire NHL in total assists.
The defense could be cause for concern, but this offense should be able to carry Las Vegas this season.
Tampa Bay Lightning Preview: Trust the Balanced Attack
The Lightning offer a more balanced attack as they tend to do everything well. Although they do not feature the same scoring prowess as Las Vegas, their ability to score efficiently and lock down opposing offenses makes them a difficult opponent.
Tampa Bay ranks in the top half of the league in goals scored, goals allowed, and assists. They also rank third overall in shooting percentage, which speaks to the aforementioned efficiency. They make every shot count.
Steven Stamkos is the leader in goals scored with 13. He has been the go-to option as nobody else on the team has scored more than nine goals this year. Victor Hedman is the team leader in assists with 23 to his credit.
Goalkeeper Andrie Vasilevskiy has compiled an astounding 16-4 record to go along with a 2.10 GAA and a .928 save percentage. The Lightning will need him to be at his absolute best against this talented Golden Knight offense.
Who to Bet on Lightning at Golden Knights
This projects to be a highly competitive game between two very impressive first-place teams.
It really comes down to balance vs. power. Will the Lightning’s balanced attack get the job done, or can the Golden Knights force their way to victory with an overpowering offensive approach?
Top sportsbooks project Las Vegas to emerge victorious at home in this one. I believe this game will be close throughout, but I expect the Golden Knights to take care of business in the end.
Take the Las Vegas Golden Knights -1.5 with your betting selection.
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