NHL betting preview (Nov. 11): Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights odds

The Carolina Hurricanes enter as moneyline favorites, aiming to bounce back after their first loss in nine games, but they’ll face a tough challenge against the undefeated-at-home Vegas Golden Knights.

Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights Odds

• Carolina Hurricanes Moneyline: -135
• Vegas Golden Knights Moneyline: +110
• Puck Line: Hurricanes -1.5 (+180), Golden Knights +1.5 (-225)
• Game Total: 6.5 (Over -105, Under -115)

Game odds via Sports Interaction.

Handicapping the Hurricanes (10-3 SU, 9-4 ATS, 5-7-1 O/U)

Carolina’s eight-game winning streak ended Saturday with a 6-4 loss to Colorado in Spencer Martin’s season debut. Until then, the Hurricanes hadn’t allowed more than four goals in a game, ranking second in goals against (2.3) per 60 minutes. Martin’s outing bumped them to fifth (2.6), but with Pyotr Kochetkov expected back in net for Monday’s game in Vegas, the Hurricanes look to reset. Besides, Carolina’s potent offense has been its primary driver this season.

Only three teams have scored more goals per 60 minutes, and Carolina’s underlying metrics suggests its production is sustainable. The Hurricanes rank first in shots across all categories and second in expected goals per 60 minutes. They’re also a top-10 team on special teams, converting 24.39 percent on the power play and achieving an 84.31 percent success rate on the penalty kill.

While Carolina’s usual contributors are performing well, Martin Necas has emerged as a standout. With eight goals and 15 assists, Necas leads the team with 23 points in 13 games—nine more than the next highest scorer. Although his current pace is unlikely to last the full season, his breakout performance provides Carolina with the extra firepower it has needed, possibly putting the Hurricanes over the top.

Handicapping the Golden Knights (9-5 SU, 9-5 ATS, 11-3 O/U)

As mentioned, only three teams have scored more goals (per 60) than Carolina has this season, but one of those teams is Vegas. The Golden Knights currently rank as the second-best team in goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five and only two teams have had a higher success rate on the power play. However, not only did Vegas lose their last game versus Seattle, they also lost captain Mark Stone to a lower-body injury.

Stone has missed 110 games over the past three seasons due to various injuries, but he has suited up for all 13 games so far and ranks second on the team in scoring behind Jack Eichel. The team did not disclose when or where Stone was injured, nor did it say whether he would be ready to play on Monday. As of right now, Stone is listed day-to-day. It’ll be a huge loss for Vegas if Stone can’t play on Monday, but the forward group is still formidable thanks to a couple of dynamic duos.

Eichel and Ivan Barbashev will miss Stone, but they’ve both been very productive. Barbashev has been shooting the lights out, and despite leading the team in points, Eichel could shift his focus a bit. Eichel ranks first in shot attempts on the team but five forwards have generated more expected goals. Pavel Dorofeyev currently leads the team with eight goals, but his linemate, Tomas Hertl, leads the team in individual expected goals and it wouldn’t be surprising to see an uptick in his production.

However, as good as the team has looked on the surface, its underlying metrics leave a lot to be desired. Vegas currently ranks 25th in expected goals percentage and 26th in shot attempt percentage at five-on-five. This is mostly due to the fact that Vegas grades out as a bottom-10 team in terms of preventing shots and quality chances. Adin Hill hasn’t been great, either, currently ranking among the bottom-10 in goals saved above expected, according to Evolving Hockey.

Best Bets for Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights

• Over 6.5 Goals (-105) at Sports Interaction

Carolina has scored four or more goals in 10 of 13 games this season, including each of its last eight. This marks a shift for the Hurricanes, who are generating more expected goals and actual goals than in the past three seasons. Similarly, Vegas has hit four or more goals in seven of its eight home games, with those games going 7-1 to the over. With both teams excelling offensively and Vegas showing vulnerability on defense and in goal, this matchup should feature a lot more scoring than we might expect based on past seasons.

Follow Andy’s bets on the Action App here.