Defense Optional: Why the Red Light Will Be Busy in Columbus

The Vegas Golden Knights finally snapped their losing streak with a gritty overtime win in Winnipeg, but let's not pretend all their problems are solved. Their blue line is still battered, and they are facing a Columbus Blue Jackets squad that can be surprisingly dangerous offensively despite their own defensive struggles. This matchup has "high-scoring affair" written all over it.

Chase the Goals

Instead of sweating the winner in what could be a trap game for Vegas, the smartest strategy is to chase goals. The Over on the goal total feels like the safest play on the board. In the player prop market, look for value beyond the usual superstars.

Deep Value Plays

For those looking for a high-reward long shot, don't sleep on the Vegas defensemen like Noah Hanifin or even Ben Hutton joining the rush. Tonight isn't about shutting it down; it's about outscoring the mistakes.

The Bottom Line

While the Winnipeg win was a confidence booster, the Knights still have work to do defensively. Columbus presents a perfect opportunity for Vegas to lean into their offensive strengths and simply outscore their problems. With both teams' defensive units compromised, expect goalies to be busy and the scoreboard operator even busier.

The smart money is on goals—lots of them. Whether you're watching for entertainment or looking for betting value, this one should deliver fireworks from puck drop to final horn.