Monday Morning Gambler: Looking For Value On VGK? Better Pick Your Spots
You want to find value in betting the Vegas Golden Knights? It was right there staring you in the face: Vegas Golden Knights +115 vs. the Colorado Avalanche.
The VGK were coming off the 3-2 loss at the much-hyped Outdoors Lake Tahoe game. And the game last Tuesday vs. the Avalanche was the fourth straight game vs. their West Division rival. And since it was at Colorado, the VGK would be underdogs. To the tune of +115.
The VGK had lost two of the first three against Colorado in the series. But if it seemed like a prime spot to jump on the Golden Knights, you were correct. The Knights won, 3-0, as Marc Andre-Fleury pitched another shutout. A bet on the reverse puck line would have easily earned enough for several dozen of the Krispy Kreme buy a dozen/get a dozen free doughnuts after the shutout.
Looking for another opportunity?
The scheduled game on Thursday vs. the San Jose Sharks was postponed because of COVID-19 protocol issues with the Sharks. So your next opportunity was the VGK vs. the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday. Although this time you were generally laying the heavy lumber at about -210.
The Knights won in overtime on a goal from William Karlsson, 3-2. Not much value but at least it was a winning ticket. Puck line? Nope.
Fleury after the game: “It’s been amazing. From Day One, the support that we’re getting from the fans, from around the city. The way that we’ve been winning games since then.”
And free doughnuts, too.
Your next chance comes at 7:08 p.m. Monday when the Golden Knights welcome the Minnesota Wild and fans for the first time in a while to T-Mobile Arena. The Las Vegas team is currently around -140 with the total at 5.5.
Elsewhere:
— Tough week for UNLV Runnin’ Rebels bettors. On Wednesday, UNLV lost outright to Fresno State, 67-64, as seven-point favorites. On Friday, the line on UNLV drifted down to -5. Down as much as 16 points in the first half and 40-32 at the break, the Runnin’ Rebels rallied and squeaked out a win, 68-67. But alas, no cover.
“Proud of our guys,” UNLV coach T.J. Otzelberger told reporters after the game. “Coming out in that second half, we talked about energy, enthusiasm and passion.”
Next up for ULNV is a game on the schedule for Wednesday vs. the No. 22 ranked San Diego State Aztecs.
Bettors take note: Other than two ATS wins against the San Jose Spartans, the last time UNLV covered was Jan. 25 in an outright win against Utah State.
— After starting in 31sth place, William Byron drove his No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 to a checkered flag on Sunday in the Dixie Vodka 400, a NASCAR Cup Series event at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
The win is Byron’s second in his career, and he paid about +2500. Forget a few dozen doughnuts, make that several gross of your favorite plain or glazed. Favorite Denny Hamlin, at about 9-2, started in the rear of the field after being cited for an unapproved adjustment.
— Las Vegan Collin Morikawa won the WGC-Workday on the PGA Tour. The Las Vegas resident paid +3300. Now we’re well past several gross of doughnuts and close to a down payment on a Krispy Kreme franchise fee. He fired a final round 69 on Sunday.
Much of the field wore red and black to honor Tiger Woods after his near-fatal car crash, and Morikawa paid tribute.
“Tiger means everything to me,” said Morikawa. “Yes, he had the crash, thankfully he’s all right and hopefully he has a quick and great recovery.”
When he was paired with Tiger Woods at the 2020 Farmers Insurance Open, Golf Monthly reported, Morikawa was the first player to be paired with Woods in a PGA Tour event who was born after Woods turned pro.
Another note for bettors: Morikawa, at the ripe old age of 24, has won four times in his first 39 PGA Tour events.
— Laugher of the Week. If you had St. Bonaventure on Friday vs. George Washington in college hoops, you had one of the Laughers of the Week. Laying 14, the Bonnies won both halves decisively en route to an 88-41 dismantling of the Colonials.
