ES 
NFL Previews 
MLB Previews 
NBA Previews 
NHL Previews 
Soccer Previews 
Prediction 
Odds 
Last Recap 
Game Picks 
Top Handicapper 
Golden Knights Look to Rebound Against Blue Jackets
Both the Vegas Golden Knights and Columbus Blue Jackets enter Thursday night’s matchup in Columbus looking to shake off recent losses.
- Vegas (0-1-1 in last two games) is coming off a 3-2 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday.
- Columbus has lost three of its last four, including a 5-3 road loss to the New Jersey Devils.
With both teams searching for a much-needed win, who will step up?
Ready to master NHL betting? Learn expert strategies here NHL Expert Betting Guide
Golden Knights Frustrated by Missed Opportunities
Vegas had plenty of chances against Pittsburgh, but couldn’t capitalize.
- Pavel Dorofeyev scored on the power play late in the third to cut the deficit.
- Noah Hanifin forced overtime with just seven seconds left.
- The Golden Knights outshot the Penguins 19-4 in the third period.
Despite the strong finish, Erik Karlsson ended the game just 49 seconds into overtime, handing Vegas another disappointing loss.
“We had a lot of looks in the third period,” Hanifin said. “We were able to capitalize at the end, but their goalie made some good saves.”
Vegas outshot Pittsburgh 38-17, yet couldn’t finish when it mattered most.
Jack Eichel Closing in on Franchise Record
One bright spot? Jack Eichel recorded an assist, bringing his season total to 78 points (20 goals, 58 assists).
- That ties the Golden Knights’ single-season franchise record, set by William Karlsson in 2017-18.
- With one more point, Eichel will stand alone as Vegas’ top single-season scorer.
Columbus Struggling to Start Strong
The Blue Jackets fell behind 3-0 in the first period against New Jersey, putting themselves in an early hole they couldn’t escape.
- Mathieu Olivier scored twice, but Columbus never fully recovered.
- Kirill Marchenko netted his 15th goal of the season.
- Elvis Merzlikins stopped 23 shots, but defensive lapses hurt the Blue Jackets.
“They’re a team that capitalizes early, and we didn’t do a good job countering that,” Olivier said.
Olivier has been a bright spot recently, posting five goals and two assists in his last seven games.
Despite the loss, Columbus is still in the playoff hunt, but they need a quick turnaround.
“We’re in a playoff race, and we had an opportunity to do some damage,” Olivier said. “We didn’t, but we’ll shake it off and get back to work.”
NHL Odds That Matter
Get Smart Picks
Key Matchups to Watch
Golden Knights’ Offense vs. Blue Jackets’ Defense
- Vegas outshot Pittsburgh 38-17, but they’ll need to finish their chances.
- Columbus has struggled early in games, allowing opponents to take control quickly.
Jack Eichel’s Record Chase
- With one more point, Eichel sets a new franchise record for single-season scoring.
- Can Columbus slow him down?
Goaltending Battle
- Ilya Samsonov (VGK): 14 saves vs. Pittsburgh, expected to start again.
- Elvis Merzlikins (CBJ): 23 saves vs. New Jersey, hoping for a stronger defensive effort in front of him.
Final Thoughts: Which Team Bounces Back?
- Vegas needs to turn chances into goals to avoid a third straight loss.
- Columbus must avoid another slow start to stay in the playoff race.
With both teams hungry for a win, expect a high-energy battle in Columbus.
Puck drops Thursday night.
Want the best odds? Compare betting lines now NHL Odds
