Las Vegas Golden Knights are gearing up for their tenth NHL season opener against Chicago Blackhawks at T-Mobile Arena on September 29, after coming close to winning the Stanley Cup last season.
The Golden Knights are expected to be a strong contender in the Western Conference for the regular season points title by Las Vegas sportsbooks, with the team being +400 at Caesars, second only to the Colorado Avalanche at +270.
Knights Continue as Favorites
Caesars lists the Golden Knights at +1000 to win the Stanley Cup, following the Avalanche (+600), Florida Panthers (+650), and Carolina Hurricanes (+800). They are also priced at -600 to secure a playoff spot.
Ryan Craig is the new head coach, and Vladislav Dorofeyev, who scored 37 goals last season and was a key player on the power-play, needs to be replaced by the team.
The team will rely heavily on veteran players like Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, Mitch Marner, and Shea Theodore, along with Carter Hart taking over as the lead goaltender.
Circa Sports Perspective
Director of risk at Circa Sports, Jeff Davis, mentioned that they have a small liability on the Golden Knights currently, expecting more action as the season progresses.
When pricing the Golden Knights, it’s essential to differentiate between their reputation and the current team. Vegas is looking to fill the offensive gap left by Dorofeyev with acquisitions like Victor Olofsson.
Objective Pricing for Vegas
Davis emphasized the importance of pricing teams objectively without bias. The team’s performance throughout the season will influence their odds and betting patterns.
Veterans like Stone and Karlsson missing significant game time last season could also impact the team’s performance this year.
Strategic Approach at Boyd Gaming Corp.
Bob Scucci from Boyd Gaming Corp. highlighted their strategy of adjusting prices based on off-season acquisitions and performance. They aim to provide fair pricing globally without local bias.
The Golden Knights are the fourth-largest liability for Boyd behind Montreal Canadiens, Colorado Avalanche, and Florida Panthers. The Canadiens particularly have seen significant interest, with their odds dropping from 30-1 to 22-1.
As the season progresses, Boyd will monitor betting patterns to adjust prices accordingly and manage liabilities effectively.