By W.G. Ramirez
Now that the revenge game is out of the way, it’s time to avoid a letdown. The Vegas Golden Knights take the ice tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks, and will try to avoid the hangover other teams are having after playing at T-Mobile Arena this season.
The Golden Knights’ 5-3 win over the Washington Capitals will not erase the sting of losing the Stanley Cup Final six months prior on the same ice, but it did make them feel a bit better.
Now they have to worry about a team aiming for revenge. Vegas went into Chicago nine days ago and smashed the Blackhawks 8-3. Riding a five-game skid, the ‘Hawks may surprise some folks with how hard they play tonight.
As of 5:30 p.m., Vegas is laying anywhere from -260 to -300 across the board. As we’ve said in the past, when a favorite is -160 or higher, the puck line has to be a possibility.
Value in the Knights
Vegas is skating very well right now. If this game took place last night, it might be understandable to expect a letdown, but after a day to sink in, and rest, the Golden Knights should be fresh. They also catch Chicago on the second of back-to-back nights. And when this team is laying $2 or higher, it is 2-1 this season, and 6-3 overall since joining the league. A puck line wouldn’t be a bad thing to look into if you’re looking for value with one of the hottest teams in the league.
Value in the Blackhawks
Value, at times, can be found in the law of averages. And at some point Chicago has to right its ship. Last night it competed with the Anaheim Ducks, and eventually lost, 4-2. The Blackhawks trailed 2-0 before tying it. Last season when they got to Las Vegas a few days before the game, it was widely known that they enjoyed the town a bit much, and caught the “Vegas Flu.” This year it’s strictly business, as they likely got in late, got some rest, and will be ready for tonight’s revenge game. It’s not a bad idea to take an underdog this big, especially when there is incentive. Chicago’s value is in the desire to exact revenge, and the due theory.
The Total
As of 5:30 p.m., the line we’re seeing is 6-over, -120.
The Over is favored tonight and it makes complete sense. With how well the Golden Knights have been playing, and how many goals Chicago has let in the net, one would think Vegas can take this one high on its own. The Golden Knights, who stayed Under in 13 of their first 20 games, have gone Over in six of their last nine. They’re averaging nearly five goals per game in their last five contests. Chicago has allowed an average of 5.2 goals per game during its losing skid. If the ‘Hawks want to stay in this game, they need to try to keep up with Vegas, not try to stop it. Play this one high tonight, as we like the OVER.
W.G. Ramirez is a freelance reporter in Las Vegas who covers the Vegas Golden Knights for The Associated Press. Follow him on Twitter at @WillieGRamirez