On the betting side, little separates the Carolina Hurricanes and Golden Knights for Game 6 in Vegas
Some big news coming out of Vegas Golden Knights’ camp with their season on the line tonight in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Carolina Hurricanes.
First and foremost was head coach John Tortorella’s decision to stick with Carter Hart in goal. Hart’s game has sprung some leaks during the Final – that .871 save percentage is a black mark, allowing four goals in each of the five games in the series.
“I know there’s a better game in him,” said Tortorella, during yesterday’s news conference. “I think he’s a very good goalie. We need to do a better job around him too. I have to look at things differently [than the numbers], and look at the type of play around him, and the type of goals that are being scored.”
Tortorella also confirmed that William Karlsson will not play tonight, adding he wouldn’t be giving details on the lineup. Still, discussions in media reports revolved around Brandon Saad slotting back in, after seven games as a healthy scratch.
BEST BETS
Carolina Hurricanes at Vegas Golden Knights, tonight, 8 p.m. EST, T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Carolina leads best-of-seven final series 3-2
In NHL betting at Betway, Carolina is a slight moneyline favorite at -115, with Vegas at -105. On the puckline, the Hurricanes are -1.5 (+200), while the Golden Knights are +1.5 (-275). The total is set at 5.5 goals, with the Over at -130 and the Under at +110.
Golden Knights Puckline +1.5 (-275)
So back to T-Mobile Arena tonight, with oddsmakers seeing this as an almost even matchup, with a one-goal game the most likely outcome.
The underlying numbers between these two teams have been very close throughout the series. But Vegas firepower on home ice gives them the edge, led by Mitch Marner, Jack Eichel, Brett Howden, Mark Stone, Ivan Barbashev, and Pavel Dorofeyev.
This is a veteran, resilient team, and experience matters.
The puckline doesn’t excite me from a price perspective, but I am nervous about Hart, so this is the safer side.
Over 5.5 Goals (-130)
An easy call, considering how the series has gone on the score sheet. This has not turned out to be the tight, defensive contest many had expected, with both teams generating quality chances, and the goaltending being subpar.
Hence the questions to Tortorella yesterday about putting Adin Hill back in net.
Jack Eichel Anytime Goal (+200)
Plus money on Eichel, who’s been one of the more dangerous Vegas forwards throughout the series. If this Vegas Golden Knights win tonight, he’s in on it, on the goal sheet.
Eichel had the most ice time for the Golden Knights in Game 5 – 23:31.
Jordan Staal Total Points Over 0.5 (+115)
Staal has been a huge factor for the Hurricanes in the Final and will be there for them again tonight. The Hurricanes power play has been clicking. If you’re looking for a plus-money prop you could do worse than backing Staal to continue contributing.
Plus, I put money down on Marner for the Conn Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP before the series began and felt all good about that.
I looked at Betway odds for that this morning and there it was – Staal at -125 now, Marner at +225.
