The Pittsburgh Penguins are set to host the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday night at PPG Paints Arena. This is a matchup of two playoff teams from last season, but both the Penguins and the Golden Knights are off to slow starts in 2018. Pittsburgh comes into this game with a 1-1 record, while the Golden Knights are 1-3, and in the midst of a very difficult four game road trip.
Penguins vs. Golden Knights Odds
The Pittsburgh Penguins are the clear betting favorites for this matchup with the Golden Knights. The moneyline is Penguins -185 with the Golden Knights checking in at +160. The over/under for total goals is set at 5.5 goals.
Spread: Penguins -185
O/U: 5.5
Penguins vs. Golden Knights Head to Head
The Pittsburgh Penguins and Vegas Golden Knights have only two lifetime meetings against each other. The Penguins and Golden Knights split the two games between them last season, with each team scoring a combined six goals. This is the first of two meetings this season.
Penguins vs. Golden Knights Stats
The Pittsburgh Penguins are led in scoring by defenseman, Kris Letang. Letang has scored a pair of goals this season, and has also registered two assists to lead the team with four points. The Penguins are averaging four goals a game so far this season. Second-year goaltender Casey DeSmith posted a 2.40 goals against average a season ago, while posting a 6-4-1 record as a starter.
The Vegas Golden Knights are averaging just 1.8 goals per game this season, which ranks near the bottom in the NHL. Jonathan Marchessault leads the Knights with two goals and four assists, and center William Karlsson leads the team with three assists. Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury has posted a 3.95 goals against average so far this season.
Penguins vs. Golden Knights News
The Pittsburgh Penguins will be without their goaltender, Matt Murray in this game. Murray was diagnosed with a concussion for the third time in his brief four year career. The team announced that there is no timetable for his return, and are expected to start goalie Casey DeSmith in this game.
The Vegas Golden Knights will be without center Paul Stastny for this game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Stastny suffered a lower-body injury in the Penguin’s Monday game against the Buffalo Sabres and is expected to miss at least three games.
Penguins vs. Golden Knights Predictions
This game could be a Stanley Cup Finals preview, but neither team is playing at a very high level right now. Both the Penguins and Golden Knights are struggling through injury issues this season, but none of the injuries are long term concerns.
The Penguins will be starting their backup goalie in this game, and the Golden Knights have been getting poor play from their top goalie this season. Look for this to be a high scoring affair, but the home team will prevail. Bet the Pittsburgh Penguins -185 over the Vegas Golden Knights.
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