Vegas Golden Knights vs
Carolina HurricanesPredictions & Preview

Can the Hurricanes Sweep the Golden Knights? Vegas vs. Carolina Prediction and Top NHL Picks for Friday Night Showdown

On Friday, January 17, 2025, the NHL will feature a two-game card, including a cross-conference showdown between the Golden Knights and Hurricanes at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, NC. In their last meeting in November, the Hurricanes defeated the Golden Knights 5-2 in Las Vegas. Carolina is the favorite with opening odds at -150, and the line has remained steady. Will the Canes sweep the Golden Knights? Stay tuned for our Vegas vs. Carolina prediction and top NHL picks for Friday night.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Golden Knights +129 | Hurricanes -150
• Spread: Golden Knights +1.5 (-203) | Hurricanes -1.5 (+170)
• Total: Over/Under 6 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Carolina will win straight-up is 60%.

Vegas vs Carolina Stats

Vegas Golden Knights

The Vegas Golden Knights have struggled recently, losing three of their last four games. Despite a 4-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild, they fell 5-3 to the Nashville Predators on a road trip. Pavel Dorofeyev's hat-trick was not enough to overcome a 4-0 deficit, with goalie Ilya Samsonov allowing four goals on 22 shots. Vegas ranks sixth in goals against and fourth in goals for in the league. Adin Hill is set to return to the crease with a 18-7-2 record, a 2.54 GAA, and .904 save percentage. In terms of power ranking, Vegas is ranked #5 overall, with a strong offense and defense, boasting a 29-12-3 record this season. If you're looking for sports wagering opportunities, check out the best sports betting promos.

Carolina Hurricanes Analysis

The Carolina Hurricanes are coming off back-to-back losses, including a 4-2 defeat against the Buffalo Sabres. Despite outshooting their opponent, the Hurricanes were unable to overcome a three-goal deficit, ultimately falling short in the final moments of the game. Goalie Pyotr Kochetkov is expected to start in the upcoming matchup against Vegas, with a record of 16-9-2 and strong stats this season. Carolina currently ranks 16th in power rankings, excelling in offense and defense, with a record of 26-16-3. The Hurricanes will face a challenging opponent in Vegas, who have won their last three matchups against Carolina. Consider consulting top NHL cappers for assistance in predicting the outcome of upcoming games.

Carolina Hurricanes Goalie Situation: Frederik Andersen Injured, Pyotr Kochetkov Struggles, Adin Hill Shining

Frederik Andersen has made a limited number of starts for the Carolina Hurricanes this season due to ongoing struggles with injuries. As a result, Pyotr Kochetkov has assumed the role of starting goalie for the team in the majority of games. Kochetkov recorded 30 saves in a notable 5-2 away victory over Vegas in November, but has since allowed three goals in each of his last four starts, resulting in a record of 2-3-2 in his past seven games. In contrast, Adin Hill has demonstrated strong performance in goal with a record of 5-2-0 in his previous seven starts, yielding only 13 goals during this span. Despite an earlier challenging game against Carolina, Hill is motivated to rebound. Considering the offensive capabilities of the Vegas Golden Knights and the respective power-play and penalty-killing statistics of both teams, I am favoring Vegas at plus money in this match-up.

Sources: [ 2 ] [ 4 ]