Minnesota (26-12-4) at Vegas (28-10-3)
- When: Jan 12 2025, 8:00 PM
- Where: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV, USA
- Where to watch: FDSN
The Vegas Golden Knights look to avoid their longest losing streak of the season as they host the Minnesota Wild on Sunday night. Vegas enters as the Moneyline favorite at -177, with the total set at 6.0 goals. Despite leading the Pacific Division with 59 points, the Golden Knights have dropped consecutive games, falling 4-0 to the Islanders and 2-1 to the Rangers.
Game Breakdown and Betting Analysis
Vegas, tied for fourth in the NHL in scoring (3.40 goals per game), has struggled to find the net recently, managing just one power-play goal across their last two matchups. Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin and Rangers netminder Igor Shesterkin put on clinics, stifling Vegas’ offensive attack.
Captain Mark Stone acknowledged the slump:
“We’re playing solid defense, but our offensive execution isn’t there right now. It’s just something every team goes through.”
Vegas came close on Saturday, with Noah Hanifin appearing to score a go-ahead goal at the end of the second period—only for a video review to show the puck crossed the line after the clock hit zero. Jack Eichel also hit the crossbar with a key one-timer, and the team failed to convert on a 6-on-4 power-play advantage late in the game.
Minnesota’s Road Dominance
The Wild have been dominant on the road, boasting a league-best 16-3-3 record away from home. On Saturday, Minnesota secured a 3-1 win against the San Jose Sharks, marking their fifth win in their last six games. Marc-Andre Fleury, the former Golden Knights goalie, was stellar in net, making 36 saves and improving to 9-0-0 in his last nine starts in San Jose.
Fleury’s road success has been key for Minnesota:
“We’ve stayed calm and kept it simple. It’s been working for us,” Fleury said after recording his 570th career win.
Mats Zuccarello led the charge offensively with a goal and two assists, showing the depth that the Wild bring to this matchup.
Key Trends and Matchups
Vegas’ Home Ice Edge: Despite recent setbacks, the Golden Knights hold a strong 17-6-0 home record. They’ve excelled against Western Conference opponents, with a 22-3-2 record, including a 3-2 win over the Wild in December.
Minnesota’s Strong Defense: The Wild have been locking down opponents and staying patient. With Fleury’s hot hand and their strong defensive play, they’ve been tough to beat on the road.
Betting Predictions
Moneyline Pick (+153): Vegas has been resilient at home, but their recent offensive slump is concerning. Minnesota’s form on the road and Fleury’s familiarity with T-Mobile Arena make the Wild an appealing underdog pick.
Total Pick (6.0 goals): Both teams have shown defensive prowess, so the under is a smart play, especially with elite goaltending on both sides.
Prop Bets to Watch:
Mark Stone Over 0.5 Points: Stone will be determined to lead by example and could find himself on the scoresheet.
Marc-Andre Fleury Over 29.5 Saves: Facing his former team, Fleury should see plenty of shots and could put up another high-save performance.
Total Power-Play Goals Under 1.5: Both penalty-killing units have been strong, and this could be a low-scoring affair on special teams.
Final Score Prediction
Minnesota 3, Vegas 2. The Wild’s defensive discipline and Fleury’s strong form give them the edge. Expect a tight game, but the Golden Knights’ scoring woes could cost them as the Wild secure another big road win.
- NHL Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
