Florida Panthers vs Vegas Golden Knights Picks and Predictions October 19th 2024

Knights Look for Elusive Road Victory vs. Panthers

In hockey, much like real estate, location can play a pivotal role. For the Vegas Golden Knights, the distinction between home and away performances has been stark so far this season. The Knights have secured victories in all three of their home games, but they’ve stumbled on the road, losing both of their away matchups. They’ll look to reverse that trend when they visit the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers, on Saturday night in Sunrise, Fla.

Golden Knights’ Road Struggles

Most as of late, the Golden Knights confronted a terrible 4-3 loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night. In that game, Vegas started to lead the pack multiple times, just to watch it get away before the Lightning gotten the game-victor with only 55 seconds left in regulation.

Despite the loss, Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy urged calm and perspective after the game. “We’ve protected leads well (in general),” Cassidy said. “Hopefully, this was a one-off.” Cassidy acknowledged that blown leads have occurred more often on the road than they should, a troubling trend as the Golden Knights look for their first road win of the season.

Defensively, the Golden Knights have had a few struggles, positioning fifteenth in the NHL in goals-against average (3.20). In any case, their offense stays serious areas of strength for a, positioning attached for fourth in the association with 4.00 goals per game. Vegas likewise flaunts an intense show of dominance, tied for fifth with a 31.3% achievement rate.

In objective, starter Adin Hill is starting off on a to some degree unsteady foot with a 2-2-0 record, a 3.81 goals-against average, and an .851 save rate. In the mean time, reinforcement Ilya Samsonov has dazzled in his restricted activity, posting a 1-0-0 record, 1.00 GAA, and a .957 save rate, which could prompt really playing time.

Offensively, Ivan Barbashev has been Vegas’ top goal-scorer with four tallies, while Jack Eichel leads the team in both assists (eight) and points (10).

Panthers Battling Injuries

The Florida Panthers are also coming off a frustrating overtime loss, falling 3-2 to the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night. Compounding their woes, the Panthers have been playing without some of their top players. Captain Aleksander Barkov has missed four consecutive games due to a leg injury, while forward Matthew Tkachuk has been sidelined with an illness. Additionally, bottom-six forward Jonah Gadjovich exited Thursday’s game with an upper-body injury after playing just three shifts.

The shortfall of Barkov and Tkachuk has tried Florida’s profundity, however the group has figured out how to discover a few splendid spots. Sam Reinhart, who was second in the NHL last season with 57 goals, keeps on driving the Panthers’ offense, with four goals and nine focuses this season.

Anton Lundell, a 23-year-old former first-round pick, has also stepped up. Lundell, who scored a career-high 44 points last season, now has six points in six games, making him second on the team in scoring. “It’s always fun to score,” said Lundell, a native of Finland. “I’m trying to do my best. I know we have some guys away, and I’m trying to step up and become a leader.”

The Panthers are hoping to have Tkachuk back for Saturday’s game against the Golden Knights. They are also waiting for forward Carter Verhaeghe to rediscover his scoring touch. After scoring 34 goals last season and 76 goals over the past two campaigns, Verhaeghe has yet to find the back of the net this season, registering just two assists and a minus-seven rating through six games.

Key Players to Watch

For the Golden Knights, Ivan Barbashev’s hot start and Jack Eichel’s playmaking abilities make them dangerous offensively. With Eichel orchestrating the offense, Vegas will look to break down a Florida defense that has struggled at times this season. Meanwhile, Adin Hill and Ilya Samsonov will need to sharpen their performances in net if Vegas hopes to get its first road win.

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For the Panthers, the return of Tkachuk, if he’s able to play, would provide a massive boost to the team’s offense. Sam Reinhart has been carrying the scoring load, but players like Verhaeghe and young defensemen Gustav Forsling and Aaron Ekblad will need to step up to keep the Panthers competitive.

In goal, the Panthers rely on Sergei Bobrovsky, who has been solid with a 2-1-1 record, 2.99 GAA, and .898 save percentage. Backup Spencer Knight, who is 1-1-0 with a 3.55 GAA, may also see action.

Game Outlook

The two teams are searching for a quickly return win, with the Golden Knights looking for their most memorable street triumph of the time and the Panthers expecting to beat wounds to central participants. The fight between Vegas’ powerful offense and Florida’s safeguard, which has been conflicting on occasion, will be a vital consider this matchup. On the off chance that the Panthers can serious areas of strength for get from Bobrovsky and commitments from their profundity players, they’ll have a shot at sending the Golden Knights to their third street misfortune.

For Vegas, the game addresses an amazing chance to support their guard, expand on their hostile capability, and try not to neglect another lead.