Golden Knights vs. Capitals Prediction
The Washington Capitals were solid in all facets last game to take a 2-1 series lead over the Las Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Finals. Is Washington going to protect its home ice again tonight to take a commanding lead in the best-of-7 series?
Game Snapshot
7 Las Vegas Golden Knights at 8 Washington Capitals
Monday, June 4, 2018
Capital One Arena at 8PM ET
TV: NBC
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Capitals are a -130 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Golden Knights are a +110 underdog, while the total is set at 5.5 goals. As of Monday morning, 52 percent of public bets are siding with visiting Las Vegas. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for up-to-date information.
Kuznetsov cleared to play, scores goal
Washington center Evgeny Kuznetsov, who has had an outstanding playoff campaign, left Game 2 early with a forearm injury and did not return. He was a game-time decision for Game 3 and ultimately cleared to play. Kuznetsov showed he was healthy enough to play as he scored his 12th goal of the postseason to stake Washington to a 2-0 advantage in the second period. Left winger Alex Ovechkin netted his team-best 14th goal of the playoffs at the 18:50 mark of the second to break the scoreless tie. After a goal by Las Vegas in the third trimmed it to a 2-1 advantage, an insurance goal by Devante Smith-Pelly with 6:07 remaining in regulation helped put it away. It was his fifth goal of the playoffs. Braden Holtby saved 21 of 22 shots sent his way to record the win.
Nosek continues red-hot play
Las Vegas center Tomas Nosek was an afterthought much of the season, scoring only seven goals and dishing out eight assists over 67 games. And nothing much was changing in the postseason as all he registered was a single assist through the first 10 games. But Nosek scored a goal in Game 4 at Winnipeg and then scored a goal in the next contest to close out the series. In the Game 1 win of the Stanley Cup Finals, he scored two goals in the 6-4 victory. After a scoreless Game 2, he accounted for the lone Golden Knights goal last game for his fifth goal over the past four games. Edouard Bellemare assisted on the score. Marc-Andre Fleury made 23 of 26 saves in taking the loss.
NHL Betting Trends
Las Vegas
The Golden Knights are 5-0 in their last five Monday games. Las Vegas is 20-6 in its last 26 games after scoring two or fewer goals its previous game.
Washington
The under is 4-0-2 in the last six Capitals games played on one day of rest. Washington is 4-1 in its last five games against an opponent with a winning percentage above .600.
Prediction:
This series is as chippy as expected with everything that happens on the ice getting under the skin of the opposing team in some way. Las Vegas got a taste of the road environment in the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in Game 3 and I believe it will be better equipped to handle it tonight. I’m predicting a seven-game series and the Golden Knights winning tonight would go a long way toward making that transpire. Expect a fantastic effort out of Fleury in net for Las Vegas since he seems due for another big game.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: LAS VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS +110