The Vegas Golden Knights (17-6-1) travel to take on the Pittsburgh Penguins (11-8-4) at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday. Vegas is coming off a 3-2 shootout win over the Blue Jackets on Monday. The Golden Knights committed only two penalties in the game, holding Columbus without a power play goal.
William Karlsson and William Carrier each scored once for the Golden Knights. Logan Thompson had a great performance with 26 saves (.928%) in the win. Pittsburgh fell 3-2 (OT) to the Hurricanes on Tuesday. Jake Guentzel and Sidney Crosby each scored once for the Penguins. Crosby and Guentzel both added an assist to lead the team in scoring. Tristan Jarry saved 36 of 39 shots in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Penguins won both games between the teams last season, including a 5-2 victory in their final meeting in March, their third straight win against Vegas. Jeff Carter and Bryan Rust each had two points (1G 1A) to lead Pittsburgh. Jonathan Marchessault led Vegas with two points (0G 2A). Jarry got the win, saving 40 of 42 shots (.952%).
FACING OFF
Vegas is averaging 3.42 goals per game for the season, eighth in the NHL, and they are taking on a Penguins team that is allowing 3.13 goals a game (17th). Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has found the net 3.22 times a game on average, 14th in the league, and the Golden Knights are allowing opponents to score 2.62 goals per game (7th).
The Golden Knights’ 18.57% power play percentage ranks 23rd in the league, while the Penguins are 26th with a conversion rate of 16.90%. In terms of defending power plays, Pittsburgh has the league’s eighth-ranked PK% at 81.69%, while Vegas is 23rd at 75.00%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 26 points this season, Jack Eichel is the top skater for the Golden Knights. He has 11 goals and 15 assists in 24 games. In the net, Thompson (12-4-0) is Vegas’ top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.44 GAA and a .921% save percentage.
Crosby leads the Penguins in scoring with 30 points (8th in the league). He has 11 goals and 19 assists in 22 games. Jarry (8-3-2) has the best goals against average for Pittsburgh at 2.90. He has a save percentage of .914%.
HOME AND AWAY
Vegas is 10-1-1 away from T-Mobile Arena this season. Pittsburgh is 4-3-2 at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Pittsburgh Penguins (-115)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
