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Golden Knights vs Flames Betting Preview
Vegas starts a demanding Pacific Division back-to-back without Jack Eichel and Shea Theodore. Their absence shifts the matchup sharply. Eichel missed Wednesday’s shootout loss due to illness and a lower-body injury. Cassidy ruled him out of the road trip. Theodore remains week-to-week with an upper-body issue. Both departures remove core playmakers from Vegas’ attack and breakout game.
Vegas still carries strong results into Calgary. They are 9-2-5 on the road and picked up nine of 10 points on their recent East Coast trip. Their structure and depth continue keeping them competitive. Their defensive layers remain steady, and their transition remains efficient, but their top-end finishing suffers without Eichel’s creation and Theodore’s mobility.
Calgary, meanwhile, has surged. Their 2-9-2 start is gone. They are 6-1-1 in their last eight at the Saddledome and 9-4-1 in their last 14 overall. Their confidence continues rising. Their 4-2 win over Seattle showcased resilience. They erased a deficit and controlled the final period. Mikael Backlund scored twice. Rasmus Andersson recorded three primary assists. Nazem Kadri tied the game on the power play and added an assist. Their detail and effort matched their push toward the playoff line.
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Line Movement and Odds
Flames -115, Golden Knights -105
Total: 6.0 (over -108, under -112)
Market sentiment moved toward Calgary with Eichel and Theodore unavailable.
Check updated numbers on the NHL odds page.
Matchup Breakdown
Vegas overview
Vegas holds strong road form, but their ceiling lowers without Eichel and Theodore. Eichel drives their zone entries and interior creation. Theodore controls tempo at the blue line and stabilizes their breakout. Their absence forces depth pieces into expanded roles.
Tomas Hertl’s line will carry scoring responsibility. William Karlsson’s absence continues limiting their center depth. Vegas still controls pace in stretches and manages defensive layers well, but their shooting quality and transition timing decline without their top producers.
Their path involves tight structure, strong defensive rotations and leveraging forecheck pressure to create second chances. Their recent 4-2 and 6-1 wins over Calgary earlier this season provide templates, though both came with a healthier roster.
Full roster details available on the Vegas Golden Knights page.
Calgary overview
Calgary’s transformation centers on improved pace, cleaner breakouts and consistent underlying pressure. Their forward group found rhythm. Backlund’s finishing and Kadri’s control through the middle stabilize the top six. Andersson continues creating from the point. Their three-assist performance on Thursday displayed their reads and distribution.
Their home form drives their surge. They protect the slot well, extend plays along the boards and attack through layers. Their ability to close out games improved. Their upcoming schedule provides opportunity, with six of their next seven at the Saddledome. Momentum, structure and confidence meet favorable context.
Team overview available on the Calgary Flames page.
Injuries
Vegas Golden Knights
- Jack Eichel — Out, illness / lower body
- Shea Theodore — Out, upper body
- William Karlsson — Out, lower body
- Adin Hill — Out, lower body
- Nicolas Roy — Questionable, undisclosed
- Brett Howden — Out, upper body
Calgary Flames
- Jacob Markström — Out, lower body
- Dillon Dubé — Out, personal
- Oliver Kylington — Out, personal
- Andrew Mangiapane — Out, shoulder
Betting Trends
- Flames 6-1-1 in last eight at home
- Flames 9-4-1 in last 14 overall
- Golden Knights strong on road at 9-2-5
- Vegas trending under due to tightened defensive structure
- Calgary showing late-game resilience and scoring depth
- Vegas missing two core players affecting special teams and transition
Best Bets and Prediction
Vegas remains competitive due to structure, but the loss of Eichel and Theodore changes their offensive ceiling. Calgary holds form, momentum and home advantage. Their recent surge and scoring balance provide clear edges.
Projected score: Flames 3, Golden Knights 2
Best Bet: Flames -115
Total Lean: Under 6.0
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