The Vegas Golden Knights will be trying to avoid blowing a 3-1 series lead for the second time in three years when they host the Minnesota Wild on Friday night in Game 7 of their first-round tilt as -175 favourites on the NHL odds at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.
Vegas looked poised to advance after marching to a 3-1 series lead, but now faces elimination after falling to defeat in two straight outings ahead of Friday's matchup at T-Mobile Arena.
The Golden Knights' recent struggles have rekindled memories of their playoff meltdown two years ago. Up three games to one against the San Jose Sharks, Vegas failed to slam the door in that opening-round matchup, losing Games 5 and 6. The Golden Knights subsequently let a 3-0 third-period lead slip away in Game 7, dropping a 5-4 decision in overtime to bow out of the post-season.
Among the highest scoring teams in the NHL during the regular season, the Golden Knights have struggled to generate steady offence against the Wild. The Golden Knights' 3-0 loss to Minnesota in Game 6 on Wednesday night marked their second shutout defeat of the series. Overall, Vegas has averaged just 2.33 goals per game in this series, and has scored just five total goals over its three home games to date.
In addition to extending their historical record of middling performances against Minnesota, the Golden Knights' sputtering offence has fuelled a steady 6-2-1 record for the UNDER at online betting sites over their past nine outings. Overall, Vegas has earned the win in just six of 14 meetings with the Wild this season, and claimed victory in just four of 11 all-time meetings with the Wild in Minnesota according to the OddsShark NHL Database.
Set as +155 road underdogs on the Game 7 odds, the Wild look to Friday's contest with limited pressure. Listed as heavy +1000 longshots on the series prices in the wake of their loss in Game 4, the Wild have enjoyed spectacular netminding from veteran Cam Talbot, who has twice backstopped the team to victory in the series while facing 40 or more shots. However, the Minnesota defence has steadily upped its contribution as the series has progressed, limiting Vegas snipers to 23 or fewer shots in two of the past three games.
The Wild also sport an unblemished all-time record in Game 7 situations, claiming victory in three previous appearances. However, playoff success has eluded Minnesota in recent years, with the Wild posting just two series wins in nine post-season appearances since their march to the Western Conference Final back in 2003.
