Welcome back to NHL Predictions! Every day, Last Word on Hockey provides insights and analysis to predict the outcome of the games on the NHL schedule. Today, we will examine the matchup between the Boston Bruins and the Vegas Golden Knights. Be sure to check out all of our NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season approaches the playoff race.
NHL Predictions
Boston Bruins vs Vegas Golden Knights
Head-to-Head: Bruins 0-1 Golden Knights
Time: 10:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: NESN; KMCC
The Bruins (30-30-9) travel to Las Vegas to do battle with the Golden Knights (39-20-8) on Thursday evening at the T-Mobile Arena. This game will be the second and final meeting between these two clubs, with Vegas leading the season series 1-0. The Knights won 4-3 in Boston on February 8th after the Bruins took a 3-1 lead. This game is big for both teams involved, but for different reasons. Vegas is looking to secure two points to build their lead on the Pacific Division, while Boston needs to find a way to win or their season could very well be over. The B’s come into this one with a 3-6-1 record in their last 10, while Vegas is 5-3-2.
Shoot the Puck and Crash the Net
It may sound cliche, but if the Bruins want any chance of beating a strong Golden Knights club, they must get the puck on the net. Along with shooting the puck, traffic must be generated in front of 6’4” Adin Hill. The black and gold enter Thursday’s game on a three game losing streak. In those three games, they have an average of 19 shots on goal, including a lame 12-shot effort against the Lightning. 19 shots per game is not a winning formula.
David Pastrnak can help this issue by getting back to shooting as much as he usually would. In his last three games Pastrnak only has seven total shots. He needs to have around five to seven shots a game if he and the B’s want to be successful. Although teams are putting the majority of their focus on the superstar, that leads to his linemate’s having potential opportunities. Pavel Zacha and Morgan Geekie both have underrated shooting abilities, as they can beat any goalie in the league with their best shots. Along with Geekie and Zacha, the Boston blueline must get the puck through traffic and on net, in particular, Nikita Zadorov and Mason Lohrei who both have terrific shots.
Although the post trade deadline adrenaline has run its course, the Bruins newest acquisitions have played very well. Marat Khusnutdinov has been a pleasant surprise. The 22-year-old plays with pace and works his tail off while having a nice scoring touch. He already has two goals in five games, matching his total in 57 games with Minnesota. Casey Mittelstadt has also been a great addition to the lineup. The 26-year-old has one goal and two assists in five games. The new additions will need to be a factor against the Golden Knights.
Keep the Bruins in Their Own End
As we continue our NHL Predictions, the Bruins have had plenty of struggles this season, but one of their biggest has been getting the puck out of their end. The Golden Knights have the ability the hem them in their own end. Vegas enters Thursday night’s action losing four out of their last five. In those five games they have not played up their standards, both offensively and defensively.
With puck handlers like Jack Eichel and Tomas Hertl, Vegas has the ability to pass the puck around the Boston end and get them running around. Along with their playmakers, the Knights have big bodies, like Mark Stone, Ivan Barbashev, and Brett Howden. Lead by those three, the Vegas forecheck as the ability to be relentless. Boston has struggled against solid forechecking this season.
This is a perfect ‘get right’ spot for the Golden Knights. They have a much better roster than the Bruins do, in every aspect. All they have to do is get back to fundamentals while playing hard nose hockey. They can execute defensively due to the Bruins inability to score on consistent basis outside of their top line. If Vegas uses their size, speed, and skill in the offensive zone, they will find success, barring a miraculous performance from Jeremy Swayman.
Injury Report
BOS: Hampus Lindholm (LTIR – Knee)
BOS: Charlie McAvoy (IR – Shoulder)
VGK: Shea Theodore (OUT – Wrist)
VGK: Raphael Lavoie (IR – Upper Body)
NHL Predictions
Two teams, looking for two points, for two different reasons. Boston is fighting to brea their three game skid, while Vegas is playing for the division title and get out of there recent slump. If both teams get back to the basics and play fundamental hockey it will be hard for the Bruins to outlast the Golden Knights. When both teams are their best, Vegas is by far the better team and we expect a bounce back performance from them.
Prediction: Golden Knights Win 5-3
Prop Bets of the Night for our NHL Predictions
With just a month left in the season, Morgan Geekie is on the quest for the 30 goals. He currently sits at 23. With a goal against Vegas, hitting 30 is a real possibility. Geekie is a +290 to score anytime. Pavel Dorofeyev is a +195 to find the back of the net. Dorofeyev leads the Knights in goals with 27 goals. The Golden Knights are -260 favourite at home.
Main Photo Credit: Bob DeChiara – Imagn Images
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