Check out our Golden Knights vs Hurricanes prediction and odds for tonight's NHL Network matchup
The Vegas Golden Knights (29-12-3) head to Raleigh to battle the Carolina Hurricanes (26-16-3) in an inter-conference showdown on Friday, January 17, 2025. Puck drop is slated for 7:00 PM Eastern Time at PNC Arena, with television coverage available on NHL Network.
The Hurricanes enter as home favorites at -150, while the over/under is listed at 6 goals. Can the Canes continue their recent dominance over Vegas and protect home ice? Let's take a closer look.
Here is our Golden Knights vs Hurricanes prediction for Friday night.
I'm backing the Hurricanes to get the job done at home. Carolina has won six of the last 10 meetings against Vegas, including the last three straight by a combined 14-6 margin. The Canes also boast an impressive 17-5-1 record at PNC Arena this season.
Jordan Staal has been a force for the Hurricanes lately, tallying five goals and four assists over his last 10 games. Martin Necas leads the Carolina attack with 16 goals and 35 assists on the year. The Canes' offense, averaging 3.31 goals per game, matches up well against a slumping Vegas defense that has allowed 4+ goals in three of their last four.
While the Golden Knights have dangerous weapons in Jack Eichel (54 points) and Mark Stone (over a point per game), the Hurricanes have the defensive playmakers to contain them. Carolina ranks 9th in goals against (2.78) and 2nd in shots allowed (25.0) per game. They also boast the 2nd-ranked penalty kill at 85.1%.
Between the pipes, Pyotr Kochetkov is expected to start for the Hurricanes. He was solid in the teams' previous meeting, stopping 30 of 32 shots in a 5-2 win in Vegas. The Knights have question marks in net, with Adin Hill & Ilya Samsonov each allowing 4+ goals in recent starts.
Possession metrics also favor Carolina. Over their last 10 games, the Canes have controlled 59.51% of shot attempts, 57.14% of shots on goal, 55.58% of scoring chances, and 55.68% of high-danger chances at 5v5. Vegas' numbers are strong but trail the Hurricanes across the board.
The Hurricanes have also been a bit unlucky lately, with a 5v5 shooting percentage of just 7.42% and save percentage of 90.10%, equating to a 97.5 PDO over their last 10. Some positive regression could be in store.
At -150, the Hurricanes are well-priced to earn their fourth straight win over the Golden Knights on home ice. Carolina is deeper, plays a tighter defensive style that gives Vegas fits, and should benefit from an offensive breakout soon based on underlying numbers. Bet the Canes on the moneyline.
Friday NHL Pick:
The Hurricanes are solid -150 moneyline home favorites, meaning a $150 bet would profit $100 if they win. The Golden Knights are +125 road underdogs - a $100 wager would return $125 if they pull the upset.
Carolina is +170 to cover -1.5 goals, while Vegas is favored to stay within that margin at -210. Based on the juice, oddsmakers predict a close game that the Hurricanes win by 1-2 goals.
The total is set at 6 goals, with the under slightly juiced at -120 compared to +100 for the over. With two top-10 defenses and goalies capable of stealing games, bookmakers are expecting a lower-scoring, tight-checking affair.
Odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook as of January 17, 2025. Sign up with the BetMGM promo code to wager on Golden Knights vs Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes have had the upper hand in the last 10 meetings against Vegas, going 6-4-0. Carolina won the most recent matchup 5-2 in Vegas on November 11, 2024.
The Hurricanes are an impressive 15-5 straight up in their last 20 games at home, consistently defending their home turf at PNC Arena. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights have struggled against the Canes recently, going just 2-6 straight up in the last eight head-to-head meetings.