Nashville Predators vs Vegas Golden Knights Picks and Predictions – January 17, 2026
The Vegas Golden Knights welcome the Nashville Predators to T-Mobile Arena for a late Wednesday night matchup, with puck drop scheduled for 10:00 PM ET. This is a big Western Conference tilt with playoff positioning in mind for both sides. Vegas continues to sit near the top of the Pacific Division, while Nashville is trying to hang around the wild card bubble in the Central. Both teams are trending positively, but Vegas has been especially tough at home.
Vegas is a commanding -278 favorite on the moneyline, while Nashville checks in at +220. The puck line is -1.5 for the Golden Knights at -110 and +1.5 for the Predators also at -110. The total is set at 6 goals with slight juice to the Over (-115). The market clearly favors the home side, but recent form on both ends makes this a more nuanced handicap than it might look at first glance.
Nashville Predators vs Vegas Golden Knights Odds
These are the current betting lines for Predators vs Golden Knights. Always check the latest NHL odds before locking in bets, especially if there are updates on goalies or lineup changes.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville Predators | +220 | +1.5 (-110) | O 6 (-115) |
| Vegas Golden Knights | -278 | -1.5 (-110) | U 6 (-105) |
Nashville Predators Betting Form
The Predators enter this one playing some of their best hockey of the season. They’ve won six of their last ten and are showing improved balance offensively. Filip Forsberg continues to drive the top line, while Ryan O’Reilly’s presence at center has brought more structure and two-way responsibility. Still, the issue for Nashville remains depth scoring. When the top line doesn’t produce, they struggle to keep pace in higher-scoring matchups.
Defensively, things are holding steady. Nashville ranks in the top half of the league in expected goals against and has tightened things up on the road. Juuse Saros is still their anchor. He’s been far more reliable lately, posting a .912 save percentage over his last seven starts. He gives them a chance every night, especially when facing higher-quality opponents like Vegas.
Special teams are showing a bit of life. The power play has been climbing toward league average, and while the penalty kill is inconsistent, it hasn’t been costing them games recently. From a betting standpoint, Nashville is 12-10 ATS on the road and has gone Over in six of their last nine away games. Given the matchup, grabbing the puck line at +1.5 (-110) may offer more security than chasing the moneyline. Be sure to review the Nashville Predators injury report before placing action, and for full team trends, check the Nashville Predators stats and results.
Vegas Golden Knights Betting Form
The Golden Knights remain one of the most dependable teams in the NHL — especially at home. They’ve posted a 15-5-2 record at T-Mobile Arena and have won seven of their last ten overall. They’re doing it with consistency at both ends of the ice. Offensively, they don’t have to lean too hard on any one player. Jack Eichel is the engine, but guys like Chandler Stephenson, Mark Stone, and Jonathan Marchessault all chip in, giving them dangerous balance across four lines.
Logan Thompson has handled the bulk of the goaltending duties with Adin Hill sidelined, and while he’s not elite, he’s been solid enough behind one of the best defensive structures in the league. Vegas ranks inside the top 10 in both shot suppression and high-danger chance prevention. They don’t give you much for free, especially at home, and that’s why they’re often able to grind out wins even when the offense isn’t clicking.
The Golden Knights are also solid on special teams. Their penalty kill is top-tier, and the power play is efficient enough to punish mistakes. From a betting angle, Vegas is 13-9 ATS at home and tends to cover the puck line when they control games from the outset. However, they’ve also shown a tendency to sit on leads rather than chase big margins. If Nashville keeps this close for two periods, the cover becomes less certain. Check the Vegas Golden Knights injury report for any late updates and view their full Vegas Golden Knights schedule and stats for more detailed trends.
Nashville Predators vs Vegas Golden Knights Matchup Breakdown
This isn’t just a heavyweight vs. underdog spot — there are a few matchup layers that make this game interesting from a betting angle. Vegas is elite at controlling the neutral zone and limiting dangerous chances at 5-on-5. Nashville, on the other hand, has found recent success by simplifying their game and leaning on Saros to clean up mistakes.
Vegas also plays with a slower, more methodical pace. They don’t run-and-gun like some other top teams. They prefer structured games where their depth eventually wears teams down. That usually lends itself to the Under, particularly at home where they dictate tempo. However, if Nashville’s top line finds early success or if Vegas strikes on the power play, the game could open up in the second period.
Key matchup factors:
- Vegas dominates expected goals and shot share at home.
- Nashville’s PK struggles against structured PP units like Vegas.
- Juuse Saros is the X-factor — if he’s locked in, he can steal this.
- Logan Thompson’s rebound control has been shaky lately.
This may not be a great spot to lay -278 on a Vegas team that wins close. But it’s also tough to back Nashville outright unless you’re chasing high-risk value. The puck line becomes the best middle ground.
For deeper strategy, check our NHL betting guide for how to read matchup volatility and goaltending angles.
Nashville Predators vs Vegas Golden Knights Predictions and Best Bets
Let’s talk value first. Laying -278 on Vegas simply isn’t playable for most bettors. The line assumes dominance, but the reality is Vegas doesn’t often blow teams out. They’ve won a lot of 3–2 and 2–1 type games this season. Nashville at +220 offers more upside, but it’s still a dicey road spot. The better play here is likely the puck line.
Nashville +1.5 at -110 is a sharp way to back a team that has been in close games, even against top opponents. Saros gives them a legitimate shot to keep things tight, and if they get to OT, the ticket cashes either way.
As for the total, the number is spot on. Six is a key number, and with both teams capable defensively, the Under has merit. But given the possibility of a late flurry or empty netter, it’s not a strong lean. Still, the Under 6 at -105 is slightly more appealing than laying juice on the Over in a Vegas home game.
Best Bet: Nashville Predators +1.5 (-110)
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