Free Picks: Vegas Golden Knights vs. San Jose Sharks

The Vegas Golden Knights are running hot right now. They rank No. 1 in goals allowed per game with 2.18 and are No. 5 in goals scored per game with 2.56. They also have the second best penalty killing efficiency in the league. The Sharks rank in the bottom in most categories. So can Vegas cover the Puck Line?

For my BetPicks free picks, I am taking Vegas (-1.5) with the Puck Line (+108) with 10Bet. This game on Wednesday should be one-sided. The Golden Knights are 17-4-2 at home and 8-2-0 in their last 10 games.

It’s hard to believe in a Sharks upset when they are 3-6-1 in their last 10 games and 10-12-3 on the road. They also have an ugly minus-32 goal differential on the season.

For all Vegas’ dominance, leading the season series 6-0, the games have been mostly close. For my Free Picks, I still like Vegas on the Puck Line, even though the last three head-to-head meetings have been one-goal games. On Monday night, Vegas needed a shootout to defeat the Sharks 3-2.

The Sharks could upset the NHL game odds if they play like they did on Monday in an emotional game to honor the NHL record of Patrick Marleau, who passed Gordie Howe in the number of games played with No. 1,768. He will reach another milestone with 900 consecutive games on Wednesday.

Vegas can’t take a night off because they are neck and neck with Colorado for first place in the West. The Sharks can’t afford to rest either because they trail the Arizona Coyotes by four points for the fourth and final playoff position.

Mark Stone is red-hot for Vegas. He has five consecutive multi-point games. On the injury front, Vegas forward Reilly Smith (undisclosed) did not play on Monday.

This will be Vegas’ third game in four nights, so fatigue may play a factor.

Martin Jones (15-12-3) will likely start in goal for San Jose. Robin Lehner (11-1-2) is the projected starter for Vegas, although Marc-Andre Fleury (20-10-0) has been outstanding too with five shutouts.

Prediction: Vegas 4, Sharks 2

If you think Vegas could be tired, taking the Sharks (+190) on the Money Line with 10Bet would be the best possible payout on the main markets, but a risky play.

But I do like Vegas (-1.5) with the Puck Line (+108) with 10Bet because they are so offensively gifted. I’m passing on the Total goals, which is set rather high at 6.

• San Jose is 0-6 SU in their last 6 games.
• The Sharks are 0-7 SU in their last 7 games against Vegas.
• Vegas is 21-24 ATS this season.
• Vegas is 7-0 SU in their last 7 games.