Tip: Highly interesting meeting in the Pacific Division when Vegas hosts Vancouver!

When the night's combatants clash in T-Mobile Arena, it's two of the stronger teams in the Western Conference facing off. However, Vancouver has had a dip recently, and now, as they run into the in-form Vegas Golden Knights, a very difficult task awaits!

No Thatcher Demko

Vancouver is coming off one of its best regular seasons ever. After 74 games, the team has broken the hundred-point barrier and is second in the Western Conference after the Dallas Stars. It's been a successful season in every way. However, things haven't been smooth in recent rounds, and after two consecutive losses, it was barely that they managed to win the last game against the Anaheim Ducks.

One of, if not the most important player in Vancouver Canucks, Thatcher Demko, has been absent from play for the past few weeks, creating uncertainty. As one of the league's best goalies this season, his absence naturally leaves a mark. A team like Vancouver, despite its high point tally, continues to give up a bit too much defensively, is very dependent on having a goalie of his caliber to really maximize the team's potential. Casey DeSmith is an okay backup goalie but doesn't hold the same class as Demko, and sometimes I think that difference in class creates some uncertainty in the back, something that paralyzes the entire team. Don't get me wrong, the quality on the ice is often sufficient, but when the Canucks challenge the very best, they depend on having all key players in place. And the match waiting tonight is against top-quality opposition.

Smart Recruitments

Vegas Golden Knights continue with their wise recruitments, and Noah Hanifin has been a recruitment of the highest class. One of the league's best backup setups got even sharper after the former Calgary defenseman joined twelve rounds ago. Vegas, as usual, has suffered from injuries to key players but has started to look better as most, except for Mark Stone and Tomas Hertl, are back in play. Adin Hill is still missing in goal, but unlike Vancouver, I think Vegas has an equally good backup goalie as their starting goalie in Logan Thompson.

Vegas has been really good lately, taking care of teams like the Minnesota Wild and Winnipeg Jets. With the exception of the overtime loss against Nashville, Vegas has won the other five matches. It especially seems that the team has shifted into a higher gear not to worry about the playoff spot, which for a while seemed to be in jeopardy. My feeling is that Vegas will only get better and better before the playoffs. With Tomas Hertl and Mark Stone potentially back, they become deadly in a playoff.

Betting Tips and Conclusion

It's two very good teams meeting each other in the early hours of Wednesday morning, but for my part, Vegas' solid play tips the scale in their favor. I believe that Vancouver, which is in a bit of a slump, will find it difficult to break through Vegas' strong defense, which has looked very solid in recent rounds. When Vegas is also in good form and has a hot Jonathan Marchessault scoring goals when needed most, I think the home team gets the job done in Sin City!

Vegas Golden Knights FT @ +130 at bet365