Vegas Golden Knights at Tampa Bay Lightning Player Props, Picks and Predictions - 10/17/2024 7:00 PM EST

We have your Vegas Golden Knights at Tampa Bay Lightning prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Vegas Golden Knights hit the road to face the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Vegas Golden Knights at Tampa Bay Lightning Odds Info

Best Moneyline Odds: Vegas Golden Knights +115 (Caesars) / Tampa Bay Lightning -130 (BetMGM)
Best Puck Line Odds: -1.5 - Vegas Golden Knights -230 (DraftKings) / Tampa Bay Lightning +195 (FanDuel)
Best Total Odds: 6.0 - Under -102 (DraftKings) / Over -118 (DraftKings)

Game Info

Date: 10/17/2024
Time: 7:00 PM EST
Location: Amalie Arena (Tampa, FL)
TV: ESPN+

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

Over the past three seasons, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Vegas Golden Knights have faced each other four times, with each team securing two victories. The games have been evenly split between home and away wins, with the visiting team winning twice and the home team also winning twice. In terms of betting outcomes, the Vegas Golden Knights have been more successful against the spread, covering in three of the four matchups, while the Tampa Bay Lightning have covered only once. All four games have gone over the total points line, indicating high-scoring affairs each time these teams have met.

The most recent encounter between these two teams took place on March 19, 2024, where the Tampa Bay Lightning emerged victorious with a 5-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. The game saw a strong performance from Brayden Point, who scored twice for the Lightning, contributing significantly to their win. Despite being outshot by the Golden Knights, with Vegas recording 27 shots on goal compared to Tampa Bay's 21, the Lightning capitalized on their opportunities, including a power play goal. The game was physical, with Tampa Bay recording 27 hits and 16 blocked shots, showcasing their defensive efforts. Andrei Vasilevskiy, the Lightning's goaltender, made 24 saves on 27 shots, helping secure the win for his team.

In the previous matchups, the games have consistently been high-scoring, with the total score surpassing the over-under line in each instance. The teams have shown a tendency to engage in physical play, as evidenced by the high number of hits and blocked shots recorded in these games. The Golden Knights have demonstrated an ability to cover the spread more effectively than the Lightning, which could be a factor to consider in their upcoming matchup. As both teams have shown the capability to win both at home and on the road, the upcoming game promises to be another competitive encounter.

Vegas Golden Knights at Tampa Bay Lightning Preview

The Tampa Bay Lightning and the Vegas Golden Knights are set to clash in what promises to be an electrifying matchup at Amalie Arena. Both teams have shown their prowess early in the season, with the Lightning coming off a convincing 4-1 victory against the Vancouver Canucks, while the Golden Knights are looking to bounce back from a 4-2 defeat at the hands of the Washington Capitals. This game marks the first of a two-game series between these formidable opponents this season.

Historically, the Lightning have had a slight edge over the Golden Knights, having swept them in their two encounters last season. Nikita Kucherov has been a standout performer for Tampa Bay against Vegas, leading the franchise in career scoring against them with an impressive 19 points in 10 games. Brayden Point has also been a key contributor, with nine goals in the same number of games. The Lightning's goaltender, Andrei Vasilevskiy, has been a constant presence in the net against the Golden Knights, starting all 12 games since Vegas joined the NHL, and his performance will be crucial in this matchup.

On the other hand, the Golden Knights have shown resilience and the ability to challenge the Lightning, as evidenced by their competitive head-to-head record. Despite being outscored by a narrow margin in their all-time meetings, Vegas has managed to cover the spread more effectively in recent matchups. This suggests that they are capable of keeping the game close and potentially pulling off an upset.

Both teams have demonstrated a penchant for high-scoring games when facing each other, with all recent encounters surpassing the total points line. This trend is likely to continue, given the offensive firepower on both sides and their history of engaging in physical, high-intensity battles. As the Lightning aim to maintain their perfect start to the season and the Golden Knights seek redemption, fans can expect a thrilling contest filled with dynamic plays and strategic maneuvers.

Vegas Golden Knights at Tampa Bay Lightning Pick: Total Points Over

When evaluating the upcoming clash between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Tampa Bay Lightning, the trend of high-scoring games between these two teams is impossible to ignore. Historically, their matchups have consistently exceeded the total points line, with all recent encounters going over. This pattern is supported by the offensive capabilities both teams have demonstrated in their head-to-head meetings. The Lightning's Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point have been particularly effective against the Golden Knights, with Kucherov amassing 19 points in 10 games and Point scoring nine goals in the same span. These offensive performances have been pivotal in driving up the scorelines in past matchups.

Moreover, the Lightning's recent form suggests they are in a strong position to continue this trend. Coming off a decisive 4-1 victory against the Vancouver Canucks, Tampa Bay has shown they can capitalize on scoring opportunities, a trait that will be crucial against a resilient Vegas team. On the other hand, the Golden Knights, despite their recent 4-2 loss to the Washington Capitals, have demonstrated their ability to challenge the Lightning, as evidenced by their competitive head-to-head record and their success in covering the spread in recent games.

The physical nature of these encounters, characterized by a high number of hits and blocked shots, often leads to power play opportunities, which both teams are capable of exploiting. This dynamic, combined with the offensive firepower on both sides, suggests that another high-scoring affair is likely. Given these factors, the pick for this matchup is the total points to go over, as both teams have consistently engaged in high-intensity, high-scoring battles that surpass the set total points line.

Vegas Golden Knights at Tampa Bay Lightning Top Player Prop Picks

Nikita Kucherov Over 1.5 Points -125 (DraftKings)

Nikita Kucherov has been a dominant force against the Vegas Golden Knights, leading the Tampa Bay Lightning in career scoring against them with an impressive 19 points in just 10 games. His ability to consistently find the back of the net and set up his teammates makes the over on 1.5 points a compelling pick. Kucherov's recent form and his historical success against Vegas suggest that he is well-positioned to continue his scoring spree, especially in a matchup that is expected to be high-scoring. With the Lightning's offense firing on all cylinders, Kucherov is likely to play a pivotal role in driving up the scoreline.

Brayden Point Over 0.5 Assists +120 (bet365)

Brayden Point has been a key contributor for the Lightning in their matchups against the Golden Knights, with a notable record of nine goals in 10 games. While his goal-scoring prowess is well-documented, his ability to create opportunities for his teammates should not be overlooked. Given the high-scoring nature of past encounters between these teams, Point's playmaking skills will be crucial. The odds of +120 for over 0.5 assists present a valuable opportunity, as Point is likely to be involved in the offensive buildup, especially with Kucherov and other key players around him.

Jack Eichel Over 3.5 Shots On Goal -125 (BetMGM)

Jack Eichel's offensive capabilities make the over on 3.5 shots on goal an attractive proposition. Despite the Golden Knights' recent loss to the Capitals, Eichel remains a central figure in their attack. His ability to generate scoring chances and his willingness to shoot the puck are critical for Vegas, especially in a game where they will need to challenge Andrei Vasilevskiy, who has been a stalwart in net for the Lightning. Eichel's role as a primary offensive weapon for the Golden Knights suggests that he will be actively seeking to test Vasilevskiy, making the over on his shots on goal a strong pick.