Playoff Series Shifts to Las Vegas as Golden Knights Host Mammoth in Game 2

LAS VEGAS (Interstat) — The Vegas Golden Knights will look to defend home ice and seize a 2-0 series lead when they host the Utah Mammoth in Game 2 of their NHL playoff series Tuesday night at T-Mobile Arena.

The Golden Knights struck first with a 4-2 victory in Sunday’s series opener. Vegas enters with momentum, having won eight of its last 10 games to close the regular season at 40-43. Utah, which finished 43-40, has dropped three straight, including the last two of the regular season.

A key matchup will feature centers impacting the score sheet. Vegas’ Colton Sissons was pivotal in Game 1, posting a goal and an assist. He has points in two of his last three games. For Utah, Kevin Stenlund scored one of his team’s two goals on a team-high four shots Sunday, providing a bright spot in the loss.

The teams split four meetings in the regular season, but Vegas has won the last two encounters, including a 4-0 shutout of the Mammoth in March. The Golden Knights’ recent surge contrasts with Utah’s late stumble; the Mammoth are 1-4 in their last five contests.

According to Interstat, Vegas is projected as the favorite with a 56.2% probability to win. Their game simulator predicts a 4-3 Golden Knights victory. The pregame spread lists Vegas at -1.5, with an over/under of 5.5 goals.

The series will shift to Utah for Games 3 and 4, scheduled for Friday and Monday.