Vegas Golden Knights vs Calgary Flames Picks and Predictions October 28th 2024

Golden Knights Aim for Homestand Sweep Against Flames in High-Scoring Showdown

The Vegas Golden Knights take on the Calgary Flames on Monday night looking to finish off their four-game home series with a perfect record. Boasting the NHL’s best home record (6-0-0), the Knights dominated T-Mobile Arena, outscoring their opponents by a staggering 34-16 mark. Known for their explosive offense, Vegas has scored six or more goals in four of their six home games, setting a franchise record by reaching that mark in three consecutive games.

Golden Knights’ High-Octane Offense: Stone and Karlsson Lead the Charge

The Golden Knights have been firing on all cylinders offensively, beginning their homestand with a decisive 6-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings, followed by a 6-4 victory over the Ottawa Senators, and most recently, a 7-3 win over the San Jose Sharks. Captain Mark Stone’s stellar performance against San Jose, where he recorded a goal and two assists, has propelled him to the top of the NHL leaderboard in both points (17) and assists (13).

William Karlsson, making his season debut after missing the first eight games, showed immediate impact, assisting Tanner Pearson’s goal just 17 seconds into his first shift. Karlsson continued to impress with a remarkable short-handed goal in the second period, a solo effort that highlighted his speed and playmaking skills. Head coach Bruce Cassidy praised Karlsson, saying, “I love watching him play the game. He plays it the right way. Just a hustle play.”

Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo has been another key contributor for the Knights, recording his third consecutive multi-assist game and now ranking second among NHL defensemen with 11 assists this season.

Flames Seek Rebound After Recent Losses

The Calgary Flames started the season well, winning their first four games, but have struggled recently, going 1-2-1 in their last four games. They have lost two straight at home, including a close 5-3 loss to the unbeaten Winnipeg Jets on Saturday, when a Nazem Kadri stick penalty in the final seconds of the game allowed Winnipeg a game-winning power-play goal.

Kadri, who scored his fourth goal of the season before the tying penalty, expressed frustration at the timing of the decision, emphasizing that “it’s very disappointing that it ended up like this,” echoing head coach Ryan Husker’s sentiment. It’s important to keep going and focus on the next game.

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Despite recent losses, the Flames have had success on overseas courts, posting a 2-0-1 record, including a 6-5 overtime win over Vancouver and a 4-1 victory over Edmonton. That strength on a foreign court could give the Flames a boost as they prepare to face the highly-touted Golden Knights.

Key Matchups and Strategic Points

• Vegas’ Offensive Depth vs. Calgary’s Defensive Cohesion: With Stone, Karlsson, and Pietrangelo leading the offense, Vegas has shown it can score at will. Calgary’s defense will need to stay organized and avoid costly penalties, especially given Vegas’ ability to capitalize on short-handed chances.
• Kadri’s Redemption Opportunity: After the controversial penalty in the last game, Kadri will be eager to make a positive impact. His playmaking abilities and physicality will be essential against Vegas’ aggressive forecheck.
• Goaltending Battle: Daniil Tarasov has emerged as a reliable option for the Blue Jackets, but the Flames’ netminder will need to be at the top of his game to withstand Vegas’ relentless offense.

Outlook

The Golden Knights will look to keep up their momentum and win their home game, backed by a strong home crowd and a top team. For Calgary, Kadri and the Flames’ road strength could be a key factor in beating Vegas’ goal machine. If Calgary can step up defensively and limit turnovers, they have a chance to end the Golden Knights’ winning streak and seize the momentum.