Best Bet: Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup 7/1
Worst Bet: Vegas Golden Knights to win the Pacific Division 1/1
The 2018-19 Vegas Golden Knights finished the regular season with a record of 43-32-7 and 93 points which was the 7th most in the Western Conference and 3rd most in the Pacific Division. This season will only be the Golden Knight’s third season in the NHL. In their first season, Vegas finished as the runner-up to the Stanley Cup loss to the Washington Capitals. Then in their second season, they made the playoffs once again but were eliminated by the San Jose Sharks 3-4 in the 1st round. The Golden Knights’ significant acquisition was before the trade deadline last season when they acquired Mark Stone from the Senators. He then signed an eight-year $76 million-dollar extension to remain as a Golden Knight. In the eighteen games, Stone scored 11 points with six assists and five goals.
Vegas scored the 13th most goal on a per game average with 3.08. The Golden Knights tied for the 13th fewest power-play goals with 0.54 on the 15th most power-play chances per game at 2.93. Jonathan Marchessault led the team in points and goals with 59 points and 25 goals. Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith tied for the team lead in assists with 34 apiece. Reilly Smith and Jonathan Marchessault both return for the Golden Knights this season and a full season of Mark Stone being on the team this season the offense will move into the upper echelon in terms of scoring this season.
The Golden Knights allowed the 11th fewest goals on a per game average with 2.84. Marc-Andre Fleury who started the majority of games for Vegas last season finished the regular season with a record of 35-21-5 with eight shutouts, and a save percentage of 0.913. Fleury saw the 6th fewest shots on goal last season with 29.56. He will return as the starting goalie again this season giving the Gold Knights arguably the best goalie in the division.
Vegas Golden Knights Total Points: O/U 101.5
The Golden Knights finished last season with 93 points which were the 7th most in the Western Conference. This season they are considered to be not only the Pacific Division favorites but the favorites in the Western Conference and have the 2nd best odds to win the Stanley Cup. The only team that has better odds than Vegas is the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Golden Knights have the best goalie in their division and one of the best in the NHL with a save percentage of 0.912 last season. What separates this season’s team from last year is the full year that the Golden Knights will have with Mark Stone on the team. Stone’s presence was felt in the eighteen games he played in for Vegas recording 11 points on the season with six assists and five goals. The Golden Knights are going to be an elite team this season, but I like the under 101.5.
Vegas Golden Knights to win the Pacific Division: 1/1
The Vegas Golden Knights finished in 3rd place in the Pacific Division last season. They finished 14 points behind the Calgary Flames and 8 points behind the San Jose Sharks. Calgary and San Jose both bring back their core group of players from last season and failed to make any significant moves to improve their teams, not that they had to, but Vegas grew their team from last season with the addition of Mark Stone. Stone will add much-needed firepower to the lineup which should push up the goals per game average of 3.08 and will likely be in the top 10 if not top 5 this season. Even with that addition they still play in what is arguably the tougher of the two divisions in the Western Conference. At 1/1 the price is a little too high to take a shot on the Golden Knights to win the division especially having to compete with the Sharks, Flames, and Coyotes in the division this season.
Vegas Golden Knights to win the Western Conference: 3/1
Vegas finished with the 7th best record in the Western Conference last season and were eliminated in the 1st round of the playoffs by the San Jose Sharks. This season they are the favorites to win the conference according to Vegas odds at 3/1. A lot of the top teams in the conference remain the same, and for the most part, the Golden Knights did as well except for having Mark Stone on the team for the entire season. Stone is without a doubt a difference-maker on offense which will improve their goals per game average to at least the top 10 in the NHL. The Golden Knights had one of the best defenses in the league last season and brought back the core that made them great last season including Marc-Andre Fleury. They have a lot of potential with this team including returning to the Stanley Cup Finals for the second time of the three-year team history. 3/1 may seem like a high price to pay for the Golden Knights to win the Western Conference, but I am confident they will do so and a price I am willing to pay.
Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup: 7/1
The Vegas Golden Knights had a quick exit in the playoffs last season losing to the San Jose Sharks 3-4 in the 1st round. This season the top teams remain the same in the Western Conference, and the Golden Knights are at the top of that list. Not only are they the top team in the Western Conference but they are the 2nd best team in the NHL according to the odds at 7/1 only behind the Tampa Bay Lightning who are 5/1 to win the Stanley Cup. I agree with Vegas with one exception. I see the Golden Knights with the addition of Mark Stone as the favorites to win the Stanley Cup. They have one of the best goalies in the NHL in Fleury, and with the addition of Stone, the Golden Knights will be a high potent offense. I love how this team looks on paper, and they are my best bet to win the Stanley Cup this season.
