By Daniel Behringer for LVSportsBiz.com
There was a little party in Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve, and about 330,000 people decided to show up.
They didn’t even have to RSVP.
The traditional New Year’s Eve celebration in Las Vegas, which included fireworks and assorted merriment, drew expected crowds to the Strip, downtown Las Vegas, and watering holes and restaurants across the valley.
But earlier in the day, the Vegas Golden Knights hosted a soiree of their own at T-Mobile Arena. Their guests were the Anaheim Ducks. Some 18,320 rabid, placard-waving, glass-banging fans were also on hand.
For this event, tickets were required. A few attended in sparkly New Year’s garb.
But fans got to see the VGK down the Ducks, 5-2. All kinds of bettors cashed tickets. Straight bettors who laid -230 won. Those who parlayed the VGK with over 5.5 won. And those who played the puck line anywhere from +110 to +120, a bet endorsed by the “veteran handicapper” at CBS SportsLine, also won.
Anyone of those bettors should have had enough loot in their pocket to buy noisemakers, a fine meal and Champagne for that New Year’s Eve.
Knights coach Gerard Gallant to the press after the game: “We don’t play great hockey every night, like every other hockey team in the National Hockey League, but lately we’ve played real good hockey.”
Oh-kay.
On New Year’s Day, the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels hosted a much quieter affair at the Thomas & Mack. The Utah State Aggies, the preseason pick to win the Mountain West, were their invited guests. Official attendance was 7,571, but actual attendance is usually estimated at anywhere from 40 percent to 50 percent of that.
In fact, this turned out to be a surprise party. And the surprise was on Utah State, a 7.5-point favorite at tipoff. The Runnin’ Rebels scored first, raced to a 37-26 halftime lead and never looked back in dropping the Aggies, 70-53. UNLV even out rebounded the visitors, 41-29.
UNLV was as high as +285 on the money line, an excellent ticket to cash to start the new year. The total fell well short of 135.
It was the third straight win for UNLV.
Coach T.J. Otzelberger after the game: “They’re probably the best offensive team we’ve played this year. To hold them to 32 percent from the floor and 2 for 19 from 3 is spectacular.”
The Golden Knights’ celebratory ways continued when they hosted the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday at T-Mobile. Some 18,415, were on hand to see the VGK take a 4-2 first period lead, then hold on for a 5-4 win.
Bettors laying -175 on the Golden Knights cashed again. Over 6 was an easy winner. As The Associated Press noted, The Golden Knights are to 14-6-3 since Nov. 17.
And the party continued on Saturday although there were uneasy moments. Laying -140 against the defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues, the VGK spotted the visitors a 3-0 first period lead before rallying to win in overtime, 5-4. The total went over 5.5, and it was the third straight game in which the Golden Knights/over parlay clicked.
Make it 15-6-3 since Nov. 17.
But bettors might have been cautious. As The AP noted, the Knights entered Saturday 2-6-1 against the seven teams who rank above them in the standings while being outscored by those teams, 35-21.
Gallant after the game: “It wasn’t too much of a statement the first 28 minutes, but after that we played real good hockey. You battle back, you never say never in this league.”
Like a lot of fans and bettors, we were intrigued by the Air Force at UNLV game on Saturday. Winners of three straight, the Runnin’ Rebels were -5.5 vs. the Falcons. We’ve often found in the past when it seems like local hoops team is turning the corner, they tend to disappoint fans and bettors alike.
But that wasn’t the case this time as UNLV rallied from an early 11-point deficit to defeat Air Force 71-59. An improving Runnin’ Rebels defense kept the total under 141. It was their fourth straight win, and the local team is now 8-8 and 3-0 in Mountain West Conference play.
Otzelberger after the game: “Our team is growing in front of our eyes and taking care of the ball a little bit better. We’re guarding, and we’re doing a great job playing for each other.”
We were out and about on Las Vegas Boulevard over the weekend, and there were enthusiastic cheers for the Vegas Golden Knights. But the noise was almost deafening, and it was SRO for the NFL Wild Card games. Favorites were 2-2 with the Seattle Seahawks a slim favorite over the Philadelphia Eagles early although the line moved to “pick” in many spots before kickoff. The underdog Tennessee Titans and Minnesota Vikings won outright. Many were surprised by the New England Patriots’ early exit, but others (including us) saw chinks in the dynasty and played Tennessee +5 or on the money line. Notably, the total came in under in all four games.
Party on.
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What’s next?
— The Vegas Golden Knights return to action Tuesday and will host the Pittsburgh Penguins.
— The Runnin’ Rebels go on the road and will play at Boise State on Wednesday and Wyoming on Saturday.
— NFL playoffs culminate with the Super Bowl on Feb. 2 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. If you wish to bet it now, the NFC is -3, and the total is 50.