NHL betting preview (March 7): Penguins vs. Golden Knights odds
Join Daily Faceoff’s Andy MacNeil as he handicaps Friday’s matchup between the Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Vegas Golden Knights.
Penguins vs. Golden Knights Odds
- Pittsburgh Penguins Moneyline: +200
- Vegas Golden Knights Moneyline: -250
- Puck Line: Penguins +1.5 (-118), Golden Knights -1.5 (-102)
- Game Total: 6 (Over -130, Under +100)
Game odds via Sports Interaction.
Handicapping the Penguins (24-40 SU, 30-34 ATS, 33-28-3 O/U)
Pittsburgh will continue its three-game Western Conference road trip in Vegas on Friday. The Penguins kicked off the trip with a 4-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, marking their third loss in a row and seventh loss in their last eight games. Pittsburgh is now nine points back of a wild card spot.
The Penguins made a couple of trades on Wednesday, sending forward Michael Bunting to the Nashville Predators and defenseman Vincent Desharnais to the San Jose Sharks. In return for Bunting and a 2026 fourth-round pick, Pittsburgh received defenseman Luke Schenn and forward Tommy Novak, while acquiring a 2028 fifth-round pick for Desharnais.
Pittsburgh ranks among the bottom-10 teams in five-on-five expected goals against, and only one team has allowed more goals per 60 minutes year-to-date. These moves aim to strengthen the Penguins’ defense, but it’s going to take a whole lot more than Schenn and Novak to make any real improvements. Since returning from the break, Pittsburgh has allowed four or more goals in all seven games.
From a betting perspective, the Penguins have been the third-worst moneyline bet this season, largely due to their inability to win games on the road. Pittsburgh has gone 10-22 straight up as the road team and has won just seven of 26 games as a road underdog.
Handicapping the Golden Knights (37-24 SU, 36-25 ATS, 29-29-3 O/U)
Vegas will aim to stay undefeated on its five-game homestand with its third straight win and sixth victory in seven games. The Golden Knights are currently four points ahead of the Edmonton Oilers for top spot in the Pacific Division with one game in hand.
On the injury front, William Karlsson, who has been out since Jan. 20, is closing in on a return, but he won’t play on Friday. Karlsson has been limited to just 38 games in what has been an injury-riddled season. Vegas is also without top defenseman Shea Theodore, who suffered an injury while playing for Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Theodore is currently listed as week-to-week and is not expected to return until late March.
Despite injuries to key players, Vegas has been playing great hockey. According to Evolving Hockey, the Golden Knights rank first in expected goals percentage and third in shot attempt percentage since the start of February. The team also ranks 12th in goals and seventh in goals against in all situations during that span, largely due to its ability to generate a high volume of shots while limiting opponents’ chances.
On a per 60-minute basis, Vegas ranks second in shots (32) and first in shots against (23.56) since Feb. 1. No team has allowed fewer expected goals against, and only two teams have generated more expected goals for.
The Golden Knights have been the fourth-most profitable moneyline bet on home ice this season, winning 21 of 29 games as home favorites. Moreover, Vegas has posted the fifth-best record against the puck line (36-25) this season.
Best bet for Penguins vs. Golden Knights
- Noah Hanifin Over 0.5 Points (-105) at Sports Interaction
Without Theodore in the lineup, Noah Hanifin’s ice time has increased, and the 28-year-old has made the most of it. Hanifin has registered points in four consecutive games, including multi-point efforts in three straight. Therefore, Hanifin is an attractive bet to register at least one point on Friday against one of the league’s worst defensive teams.