By Daniel Behringer for LVSportsBiz.com
With a 3-2 win on Tuesday over the Minnesota Wild, it might have appeared so. It was their first regulation win against Minnesota in seven tries since joining the league in 2017 and the first time the VGK won three straight at home this season, according to The Associated Press.
More importantly, bettors holding tickets in the -180 range were able cash a ticket.
They hadn’t been the case of late. As the wire service noted, the Golden Knights recently lost 10 of 13, sending them spiraling down to ninth place in the Western Conference.
“We’ve had a little rough patch,” goalie Marc-Andre Fleury said after the game. “It’s good to string some wins together and get that confidence back in our building. …”
Should bettors take notice? Are the Golden Knights again a solid play?
If bettors are taking notice of the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels, it’s often in a go-against mode. The local college hoops team hosted the Pacific Tigers on Wednesday night and were getting the bulk of the money, according to a popular sports betting website. The line moved from UNLV -3 to -3.5 and -4 at some locales.
Leading 35-29 at halftime, bettors might have felt good about their tickets. But the second half brought bettors back to reality as the Tigers rallied to win, 74-66. It was UNLV’s fifth loss in their last seven games.
That elicited another tongue-lashing from Runnin’ rebels coach T. J. Otzelberger: “Lack of effort, lack of care, lack of passion. I don’t think it’s a basketball thing. I think it just comes down to having the guts to go get a rebound. Some guys have great instincts. Some have the toughness and physicality. I don’t really know what it is.”
Whatever it is, bettors beware.
But what about the Golden Knights? Are they back to rewarding fans and bettors alike?
Laying -135 on the road on Thursday night vs. the Vancouver Canucks was certainly a good test. But apparently it was the Canucks who were inspired up to snap a three-game losing streak to the Knights, winning in overtime, 5-4.
The win was only Vancouver’s second in 10 games against the Golden Knights since 2017, according to The AP. In that span, the Canucks are 2-7-1 against the VGK. But if you parlayed the Canucks at +115 with over 6, you had a sweet ticket to cash.
Saturday turned out to be another test for the Runnin’ Rebels. Laying 9.5 points at home against a Robert Morris, 89 spots lower in the KenPom rankings, might have tempted many adventurous bettors. But trailing the Colonials 35-34 halftime, UNLV showed why gamblers need a strong heart and a fat bankroll to back the team at the window. Still, the Rebels rallied to win, 81-69, and cover the number, and the score went over the 150 total.
Rebels are now 6-7 ATS for the season.
Otzelberger, who shook up his starting lineup, after the game to a local newspaper: “Guys were laying it on the line. That was far from a masterpiece that we played. … But from an effort standpoint, I can hold my head high.”
The Golden Knights had another chance on Sunday. Laying -145 on the road vs. the San Jose Sharks, the VGK put away the Sharks, 3-1, leaving them tied for first place in the Pacific Division with the Arizona Coyotes.
Vegas coach Gerard Gallant after the game: “Both goaltenders were excellent in the hockey game. A 3-1 game could have been 7-5. It was strong goaltending.”
There’s your explanation if you’re tearing up a ticket that said over 6 for the game.
Few are suspecting the soon-to-be Las Vegas Raiders to break out anytime soon and start rewarding bettors consistently. Yet there they were on Sunday afternoon, +7.5 vs. the Los Angeles Chargers and winning outright, 24-17. If you jumped on the Raiders money line, anywhere from +270 to +300, you can buy next time we see you in the race and sportsbook. One of those giant hot dogs with extra relish will be fine.
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What’s next?
Monday Night Football, which offers NFL bettors one more chance for the weekend, has the Minnesota Vikings -5.5 hosting the Green Bay Packers. The total is 47.
The Golden Knights return home Monday to host the Colorado Avalanche. VGK are -125 with the total at 6.
UNLV Runnin’ Rebels next host Eastern Michigan on Saturday.
Finally, while we don’t make picks often here, we are playing No. 230, Wake Forest +4 or +4.5, in the Pinstripe Bowl on Friday. We hope to improve on our current mark of 1-1.