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Islanders vs Golden Knights: The defending champions need to step up
The Vegas Golden Knights will try to end the two-game losing streak when they host the New York Islanders at the T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night.
Is this the season for the Islanders?
After going back to the playoffs last season, the New York Islanders look even better this time around. Currently, they are ranked fifth in the Eastern Conference with an 18-10-10 record. The Islanders will finish the four-game road trip in Vegas after losing two of the last three games. They are coming off a 5-1 win over the Arizona Coyotes. The Islanders are 16th in the NHL, scoring 3.11 goals per game, and are ranked 21st in the league, allowing 3.21 goals per game. Center Mathew Barzal is the leading scorer on the team with 39 points, one more than Bo Horvat and Noah Dobson.
The Golden Knights have dropped in the standings
The defending champions Vegas Golden Knights have dropped to fifth place in the Western Conference with a 22-12-5 record. They have lost 7 of the last 10 games and are coming off back-to-back losses to Seattle and Florida, scoring only one goal in those two games. Vegas is ranked ninth in the league, allowing 2.8 goals per game, and are 15th scoring 3.18 goals per game. Jack Eichel leads the team with 40 points, two more than Mark Stone.
Betting Trends
Vegas has won 14 of their last 20 home games. They have the second-best home record this season in the Western Conference 13-4-2.
Player to watch
With Adin Hill, the best goalie in the league this season being out, Logan Thompson will need to step up for the Golden Knights. He has an 11-8-3 record this season and is ranked 26th in the league, allowing 2.87 goals per game. Thompson has a 90.1 save percentage and is tied for 32nd place in the league.
Injury Reports
Kaedan Korczak, Ben Hutton, Adin Hill, Shea Theodore and William Karlsson are out for the Golden Knights while Ryan Pulock, Robert Bortuzzo and Adam Pelech are out for the Islanders.
Prediction and Conclusion
The Vegas Golden Knights have been among the top teams in the Western Conference for the entire season, but with back-to-back losses this week, they have dropped to fifth place in the conference. Missing Adin Hill on the goal line is a big problem for the Knights, but they will have to bounce back on the offensive end as they have scored only once in the last two games. The New York Islanders, who have had a solid season, are coming to Vegas tonight to finish their four-game road trip. The Golden Knights will have to take advantage of the situation and bounce back with a win that will help them climb up to the top of the conference.
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