Vegas Golden Knights vs Tampa Bay Lightning - 10:08pm ET, 12/21/21
The hosts come into the game in tremendous form and currently sit top of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference, with a 20-11 record for the season from 31 games and a record of 8-2 in their last ten games.
The Knights have won their last five games in a row and have racked up a brilliant goal difference of +17, having scored 111 goals this season and conceded 94.
Currently, they are averaging 3.48 goals per game from 33.3 shots per game. They also sit on 18.4 percent on power play opportunities and have won 46.3 percent of face-offs this season.
On the defensive side of the game, the Knights are allowing an average of 3.03 goals per game and 31.4 shots per game, which will provide the opposition with a chance to better their average for the season so far.
They'll be coming up against the table-toppers in the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division, as the Lightning come into the game with a season record of 19-6, with a record of 7-2-1 in their last ten games.
They have also registered a goal difference of +17 but their offense hasn't been quite as strong, scoring 94 goals. Their defense has been more solid, however, conceding just 77 goals this season.
They are averaging 3.17 goals per game so far this season, with 29.3 shots per game. They are also sitting at 18 percent on power play opportunities while winning 48.8 percent of face-offs.
Defensively they tend to allow an average of 2.59 goals per game and 29.9 shots per game, which would see them lower the average of their opponents in this game.
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Stat Attack!
This is a match that will surely see the excitement from the crowd and the neutrals, as two of the best teams in the NHL go head-to-head to improve their record.
Vegas have won eight of their last nine games in the NHL including overtime and shootouts, while their only defeat in that time came in overtime too.
This is a team that seem to grow stronger as the game goes on, as they haven't won the first period in eight of their last nine games, however, they have not lost the second period in any of their last 13 NHL matches and they have scored in the third period of each of their last seven home games in the NHL.
A problem they have had is that they are leaking goals, however, conceding at least one in every period in each of their last three NHL home games.
They are a great offensive unit, scoring three or more goals in nine of their last ten NHL games and scoring two or more in each of their last 22 games.
Learn more about how to bet on the Vegas Golden Knights here.
Tampa Bay seem to be much easier to read coming into this game, as they are far more consistent in their patterns of play and results.
The Lightning haven't lost in eight of their last nine NHL games and have conceded the first goals in each of their last four NHL games.
They've also conceded in the third period in 11 of their last 12 NHL away games, which plays right into the hands of Knights. In their favor though is the fact they have scored two or more goals in 16 of their last 17 games, which will certainly put the Knights defense under pressure throughout this game.
Prediction
This is set to be one of the most exciting games of the season and is the perfect holiday treat for fans inside the stadium or at home watching on TV.
The Knights have a great chance with the home advantage and their offensive output this season so far, but it seems as though the Lightning just have a slight edge in this game.
When you go by the averages that both teams put up this season, the Lightning's defensive numbers are better than what the Knights are putting up offensively and their offensive numbers are better than what the Knights have been able to prevent in their goal so far.
It should be a high-scoring game without a doubt, but ultimately I'd back the underdog to get the job done on the moneyline for a pre-Christmas bonus.
Learn more about how to bet on the Tampa Bay Lightning here.
