Vegas Golden Knights vs. St. Louis Blues Pick and Prediction for Friday January 2 2026
Start your weekend with a Western Conference clash as the Vegas Golden Knights travel to face the St. Louis Blues at the Enterprise Center on Friday at 3:00 pm ET. Vegas (17-10-11, 9-4-5 Away) is looking to halt a three-game slide after a 4-2 loss to Nashville on New Year's Eve.
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The Blues (15-18-8, 8-9-5 Home) are also looking to right the ship following a lopsided 6-1 defeat at the hands of Colorado. Despite the recent slump, Vegas enters as the road favorite at -148, with the total set at 5.5. Check out more free NHL picks at Winners and Whiners.
Vegas looking to snap three-game skid
Vegas enters 2026 in unfamiliar territory, having dropped three straight games. The Golden Knights have struggled to close out tight contests lately, but they remain a dangerous road team with a 9-4-5 record away from T-Mobile Arena. With the playoff race in the Pacific Division tightening, Bruce Cassidy's squad will be highly motivated to get back into the win column.
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| 5 |  Jackie Mack | +1,451.00 |
The offense is led by Jack Eichel, who has 41 points (12G, 29A) and is listed as a game-time decision for tomorrow's matinee. His status is the biggest storyline for Vegas; if he can't go, the pressure falls squarely on Mitch Marner. Marner, who joined Vegas in a blockbuster July 2025 trade, has been as advertised with 31 assists on the season. His playmaking has been the primary engine for Tomas Hertl, who leads the team with 15 goals, including 7 on the power play.
Defensively, Vegas is navigating the absence of Alex Pietrangelo (long-term injury), leaving Shea Theodore and Noah Hanifin to log massive minutes. The Golden Knights' defensive structure has been uncharacteristically leaky during this three-game skid, allowing 15 goals over that span. They will need a bounce-back performance from their blue line and a more disciplined penalty kill (80.6%) to neutralize a desperate Blues team.
In goal, Akira Schmid has emerged as the primary option with 11 wins and a 2.50 GAA. While Adin Hill remains in the mix, Schmid has been the more consistent presence during the first half of the season. Against a St. Louis team that ranks near the bottom of the league in scoring, Schmid should have an opportunity to regain his early-season form.
Blues seeking offensive spark at home
The St. Louis Blues have found 2025-26 to be a season of transition, currently sitting below .500 and struggling for consistent production. They return home after a rough New Year's Eve performance in Denver, where their defensive gaps were exposed. However, they have shown flashes of resilience at Enterprise Center, including a win over Nashville just last week.
The focal point of the Blues' attack is Robert Thomas, who leads the team with 29 points (9G, 20A). Thomas is the primary distributor for the top line, but the team has struggled to find a consistent finisher. Surprisingly, defenseman Justin Faulk leads the club in goals with 10. Faulk’s resurgence as a goal-scoring threat from the point has been a bright spot, but the Blues need more from their forward corps, which averages just 2.46 goals per game.
On the defensive end, the Blues have struggled to protect the front of the net, allowing 3.44 goals per game (28th in the NHL). Colton Parayko and Philip Broberg are logging heavy minutes, but they face a daunting task against the speed and creativity of Marner and Hertl. The penalty kill (77.1%) has also been a major liability, often negating any momentum the team builds at even strength.
Goaltending has been a battle for St. Louis as well. Jordan Binnington (3.56 GAA) has struggled for consistency, leading to more starts for Joel Hofer. Hofer carries a 2.87 GAA and a .901 save percentage, making him the likely candidate to start tomorrow. If Hofer can provide elite goaltending, the Blues have the defensive structure to keep this game close.
Moneyline pick for Golden Knights vs. Blues
Vegas Golden Knights ML (-148)
Even with Eichel's status up in the air, the Golden Knights are simply the more talented and desperate team. Vegas does not stay in slumps for long, and a matchup against a St. Louis team that struggles to score is the perfect "get-right" game. Mitch Marner has been exceptional on the road this season, and his ability to exploit the Blues' defensive lapses should provide plenty of high-danger chances for Tomas Hertl. Expect Vegas to break their losing streak with a professional road performance.
Total pick for Golden Knights vs. Blues
Under 5.5 (+124)
While Vegas has been involved in some high-scoring affairs lately, the Blues' lack of offensive punch suggests this game will be a lower-scoring battle. St. Louis often plays a defensive, "trap-heavy" style at home against superior opponents to slow the game down. With Joel Hofer playing well and Vegas looking to tighten up their own defensive zone after a rough week, a 3-1 or 3-2 final score is the most likely outcome.
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