After a pair of extremely exciting games to open the Stanley Cup Final, action shifts to the nation’s capital where the Washington Capitals will look to build off a Game 2 victory and size the series lead in the process. Will the Golden Knights continue the trend of going UNDER on the road? The UNDER is 4-0-1 in Vegas’ last five away from home.
Golden Knights opened as +117 road underdogs with a total of 5.5.
The biggest story for this one is the status of Capitals star Evgeny Kuznetsov. Kuznetsov, who has 25 points in the playoffs, suffered an upper-body injury in Wednesday’s 3-2 triumph over the Vegas Golden Knights is “probably a game-time decision for Game 3,” according to Caps coach Barry Trotz.
Goaltender Braden Holtby is the biggest reason Washington escaped with a victory in Game 2, as the Canadian made a remarkable save to preserve the lead in the dying minutes of the game. Vegas outshot Washington 39-26 in the contest. Veteran defenseman Brooks Orpik, who hadn’t scored in 220 games heading into Game 2..
Washington went 28-11-2 SU at home this season but hasn't fared nearly as well at Capital One Arena in the playoffs. The Caps are 4-5 SU at home in the postseason, including a pair of losses in Game 3 and 4 to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference final.
Reilly Smith has led the way for the Golden Knights, as the first line forward owns a goal and two assists in the series. Jonathan Marchessault leads the Knights with 19 points in the playoffs. Netminder Marc-Andre Fleury has allowed seven goals in the first two games of the series after yielding only six in the previous four against the Winnipeg Jets.
When the Golden Knights play on two days rest, they haven’t been producing. Vegas is 1-4 SU in its past five with two days in between games.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
NHL Hockey odds makers had the Washington Capitals as -167 moneyline favorites in this betting matchup. Those over under betting saw the line open at 5.5.
Handicapping models based on recent betting stats and prediction formulas pick a 3-2.4 win for the Capitals. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
Vegas Golden Knights vs Washington Capitals Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Washington Capitals bring a 62-32-9 record to the battle against the 64-27-8 Golden Knights. OVER/UNDER bettors have seen Washington go 54-44-5 so far and the Golden Knights go 48-47-4. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Washington vs Vegas injuries news.
According to new NHL Power Rankings here at Odds Shark, it's the No. 7-ranked Washington Capitals and the No. 20-rated Vegas Golden Knights in this matchup.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Washington Capitals No. 8-ranked offense (3.22 goals per game) against a Vegas Golden Knights defense that ranks No. 3 at 2.65 goals per game allowed. The Capitals has clicked at a 23.93% rate while the Golden Knights have a 81.48% rate on the penalty kill.
Next Betting Matchups
Vegas at Washington, Monday, June 4th