Penguins vs Golden Knights Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Losses Add Up for Vegas

The Pittsburgh Penguins have had a very tough stretch of late as they come into Vegas on a five-game losing streak, and to make matters worse, they will most likely be without starting goalie Tristan Jarry, who was injured during the Winter Classic. 

The Vegas Golden Knights have won their last two games in a row, but they have their own laundry list of injuries. 

The Pens should be able to get back on track against a beaten-down squad. Find out how with our NHL picks and predictions for Golden Knights vs. Penguins on Thursday, January 5. 

Penguins vs Golden Knights best odds

Penguins vs Golden Knights picks and predictions

The Pittsburgh Penguins have been struggling as of late, there is no denying that. They had the chance to win the Winter Classic and let it slip away — although they played a pretty solid team game, they failed to convert on scoring chances. 

The Penguins’ lack of goal-scoring as of late is a real concern of mine, but it’s going to be hard to keep Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel, and Evgeni Malkin off the board for much longer. 

The Golden Knights are missing a ton of key pieces to their lineup, like Jack Eichel and Paul Cotter, who are probable, but not a guarantee to play, as well as Jonathan Marchessault, Shea Theodore, and Nolan Patrick. 

We should see a ton of desperation out of the Penguins, who need to end this losing streak and should be able to get it done against a Vegas team that is missing a ton of important players.

My best bet: Penguins moneyline (+100 at BetMGM)

Penguins vs Golden Knights moneyline analysis

The Penguins have had some really tough losses over the course of this losing streak and one thing that stands out is that their superstars haven’t been producing. Crosby and Guentzel have been held pointless in four straight games, and Malkin has just one point in his last five games — they need more from these three. 

That being said, the Golden Knights’ top guys haven’t necessarily been lighting up the score sheet as of late either. 

Casey DeSmith played a very strong game for the Pens in the Winter Classic, and I know his record might not be great, but his numbers have been solid as he enters this game with a .911 save percentage and 2.99 goals against average — he can compete with Logan Thompson. 

Goaltending aside, it’s hard to trust a Vegas team with so many guys that might be missing from the lineup and it’s not like they have been dominating in their most recent games. 

The Penguins have won the last four meetings between these two teams, and they can do it yet again.

Penguins vs Golden Knights Over/Under analysis

Both teams haven’t been producing a ton offensively in the most recent span of games, but I have a strong feeling that this game will be very wide open, back-and-forth, offensive kind of hockey game. There’s a ton of offensive talent on both sides — for the Penguins, the guys I mentioned before in Crosby, Malkin, and Guentzel, for the Golden Knights the guys to watch are Stephenson, Stone, and possibly Eichel if he plays.

The Over has been the trend for these two teams whenever they get together, hitting the last four times in a row, and separately, the Over happens to be 4-1 in the last five Golden Knights home games.

This isn’t necessarily a goalie matchup that jumps out at you and neither team has been perfect in their defensive zones. 

The Pens currently skate to a 3.38 xGF/60 and the Golden Knights are at a 3.23 xGF/60, which tells you that both teams should be scoring more than they currently are. 

Penguins vs Golden Knights betting trend to know

The Penguins have won the last four meetings between the two teams. Find more NHL betting trends for Penguins vs Golden Knights.

Penguins vs Golden Knights game info

Penguins vs Golden Knights key injuries

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