Vegas Golden Knights vs Florida Panthers Picks and Predictions January 26th 2025

Vegas Golden Knights vs Florida Panthers January 26th 2025

Don’t miss out on the NHL showdown between the Panthers and Golden Knights. The game is starting at 8:00 ET on ESPN+, and it’s hosted by the Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. Get ready to place your bets! The over/under for this non-conference contest is set at 6 goals, with the Golden Knights being the favored by -1.5 goals against the Panthers.

Florida vs. Vegas Key Information

• Teams: Panthers at Golden Knights
• Where: T-Mobile Arena Las Vegas
• Date: Sunday, January 26th
• Betting Odds VEG -126 | FLA +105 O/U 6

The Panthers Can Win If…

Florida improved to 29-18-3 with a 4-2 win over the Stars. The Panthers covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total of 6 goals fell short of the 6.5 goal line.

Four different players scored for the Panthers, including Sam Reinhart, who sealed the win with an empty-net goal. Florida led 2-0 before the Stars tied it, but A.J. Greer’s goal in the third period put the Panthers ahead for good.

Florida’s offense was led by A.J. Greer, who found the net for the first time this season. Sam Reinhart added his 10th goal, capitalizing on an empty net with a minute left. The Panthers’ other goals came from Evan Rodrigues, who opened the scoring 5:15 into the first period, and Matthew Tkachuk, who netted his third on a power play.

Carolina took 25 shots on goal and recorded 16 giveaways. The Panthers scored twice in the third period, with Greer’s goal at 17:28 breaking a 2-2 tie.

After giving up two goals in the second period, Florida’s defense locked in, shutting out Dallas in the third to secure a 4-2 win. Spencer Knight made 23 saves with a 92% save percentage, and the Panthers’ defense added 8 takeaways and 22 hits.

• Florida will look to keep things rolling as they have put together a mark of 2-1 over their past three games. In addition, their puck line record over this stretch is 3-0 while posting a 2-1 over-under mark.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, Florida has a record of 5-5. Across these games, their puck line record was just 6-4, while posting an over-under record of 5-5.

The Golden Knights Can Win If…

Vegas improved to 30-15-4 with a 4-3 overtime win against Utah. The Golden Knights trailed 2-0 before rallying to force overtime, eventually covering the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites. The total was set at 6.5 goals, and the combined 7 goals pushed the game over.

Four different players scored for Vegas, with Brett Howden netting the game-winner at 2:15 in overtime. Pavel Dorofeyev started the comeback at 15:06 in the second period, and Noah Hanifin tied it up with just one second left in the same period.

Vegas took 35 shots on goal and scored 4 times, with Brett Howden netting his 6th goal of the season in overtime. William Karlsson added his 2nd goal of the year, while Pavel Dorofeyev scored his 7th and Noah Hanifin his 2nd.

Hanifin also picked up two assists, giving him 5 for the season. The Golden Knights had 13 giveaways and were shut out in the first period before scoring twice in the second.

The Golden Knights’ defense struggled early, giving up the first two goals of the game. They also allowed Utah to tie the game at 3-3 with 6:50 left in the 3rd period. Adin Hill made 16 saves with a save percentage of 84.2%.

• The Golden Knights have gone 1-2 over their last three regular season games. Across this span, their puck line record sits at 2-1 to go along with an over-under mark of 2-0-1.
• Across Vegas’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 3-7. The team’s record vs the puck line was just 5-5, in addition to an over-under mark of 4-5-1.

The Lean

When it comes to a moneyline wager, I’m going with the Panthers to defeat the Golden Knights while playing on the road. Given the current moneyline odds at +105, I’m placing a wager on the Panthers to win outright.

If you’re looking to get a bet down on this matchup, we foresee the Panthers winning the underdog. However, if you’re not as confident in the Panthers straight-up, we’d still recommend placing a bet on them to cover the puck line.

With an over/under line sitting at 6 goals, we like this game to surpass that mark and recommend getting a bet down on the over.

Golden Knights Seek Redemption Amid Recent Struggles

The Vegas Golden Knights (29-15-4) have hit a rough patch, losing five of their last six games (1-4-1), and have slipped out of first place in the Pacific Division. They’ll look to turn things around Sunday against the Florida Panthers (30-14-3), who are just one point out of first in the Atlantic Division.

Vegas returns home after a disappointing 4-3 road loss to the Dallas Stars on Friday. Jack Eichel led the way with two goals, continuing his stellar season with 61 points, putting him on pace for the first 100-point campaign of his career. However, Eichel voiced frustration about the team’s lack of consistency:

“We’re finding ourselves in the losing column a little too much lately… It’s just a commitment to competing and doing the right things and the will to win. We know we have it in here. It’s just about grabbing it and doing it.”

The Knights’ homestand won’t get any easier after Sunday’s matchup, as they’ll face the surging Dallas Stars again on Tuesday and the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.

Panthers Ride Momentum to Vegas After Big Win

The Florida Panthers are coming off an emphatic 7-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday, where Matthew Tkachuk contributed a goal and two assists. Aaron Ekblad, returning from a seven-game absence due to an upper-body injury, made an immediate impact with a goal and an assist.

Panthers coach Paul Maurice praised his team’s performance and stressed the importance of finishing their road trip strong:

“We’re in position now to have a really good road trip.”

The Panthers began their four-game western swing with a win over Anaheim and a narrow loss to Los Angeles before rebounding in San Jose. Despite the momentum, Maurice acknowledged the challenge of playing back-to-back games, especially with a late-night flight from San Jose to Las Vegas.

Key Matchups to Watch

1. Jack Eichel vs. Panthers’ Defense

Eichel has been a bright spot for the Golden Knights, but he’ll face a tough challenge against a Florida team that has been finding its stride defensively. Ekblad’s return adds stability to a Panthers’ blue line that had been missing his presence.

2. Matthew Tkachuk’s Offensive Prowess

Tkachuk has been the heartbeat of Florida’s offense, leading the team in points and continuing to create opportunities for his linemates. Vegas will need to find a way to limit his impact, particularly on the power play.

3. Special Teams Battle

Vegas has struggled on special teams during their recent slump, while Florida’s power play has been heating up. The team that wins the special teams battle could have a decisive edge.

What’s at Stake

For Vegas, Sunday’s game represents an opportunity to reset and regain momentum in the Pacific Division standings. The Panthers, meanwhile, have a chance to cap their road trip with a statement win and potentially climb into first place in the Atlantic Division.

Prediction

Both teams are motivated to prove something, but Florida’s momentum and Vegas’ recent struggles could tilt the scales. The Panthers have shown resilience on the road, and if they can navigate the quick turnaround, they’ll have a strong chance to take down the Golden Knights again.

Final Score Prediction: Panthers 4, Golden Knights 3 (OT)

Dive into a Detailed Analysis of the NHL Conferences with Updated Odds and Expert Predictions

Conclusion

The matchup between Vegas and Florida is a crucial one for both teams as they aim to solidify their playoff positions. Whether it’s Eichel leading the charge for the Knights or Tkachuk continuing his dominance for the Panthers, fans can expect an intense and competitive game in Las Vegas.