We like the Tampa Bay Lightning to defeat the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday for a number of reasons. Here are some of the more important ones:

Tampa has yet to lose this season and holds a perfect 2-0-0 record on the season. This will be their second home game in a row.

Vegas didn't do so well at times away from home last year. They are now just 2-6 over their last eight games played on the road.

The Golden Knights are also fresh off a road loss against the Capitals who are a "par" hockey team at best. The Lightning should prove to be even more difficult.

The Lightning have won back-to-back meetings between these teams. They've got their top goalie playing better than ever this year as well in Andrei Vasilevskiy.

With Tampa Bay having owned a 25-11-4 home record last season, we expect them to stay perfect on the year.

AAA Sports