After a dominating Game 3 win at home to take the edge in the series, the Washington Capitals will try to win their third game in a row at home when they host the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 4 tonight. The Caps locked down the Knights 3-1 in Game 3 and are now 11-4 SU in 15 games in the playoffs when scoring first. Washington opened as a slight -115 favorite to continue to bully the Knights and take a 3-1 series lead.
Leading the way on the scoring front for the Capitals, Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Kuznetsov each notched a goal in Game 3 and are in the top two in the NHL playoffs in points. Ovechkin and company have been laying the body on the Knights in this series, outhitting them 132-95 through three games, and the physicality has clearly taken a toll on Vegas and its counter-attack strategy.
But where the Capitals have gotten a huge boost has been from goaltender Braden Holtby, who has only allowed three goals in the last two games on 65 shots. His stellar play along with the Caps sacrificing their bodies (26 blocked shots in Game 3) has stifled the Knights’ quick-strike offense. For bettors looking to wager on Washington, stick to their puckline for the value as the Capitals are 5-1 ATS in their last six games and have outscored opponents 7-1 in the last two games at Capital One Arena.
For Knights backers holding their “To Win The Stanley Cup” ticket at +20000, now is not the time to panic … yet. This is the second time that Vegas has been in a series deficit in the postseason and they rallied back to win four straight vs the Jets in the conference final. But this is the first time the Knights have lost consecutive games in the playoffs and some of the downfalls have to be attributed to goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.
Flower has allowed 10 goals through three games, the same number of goals he let in vs the Jets in total in the previous round. What is also troubling for Fleury is that he hasn’t come out with a commanding performance coming off a loss in the postseason as he has allowed three goals or more in each of those games. That being said, the Knights are 6-3 SU in nine road playoff games and cannot be written off as they’re also 4-0 SU in their last four games after consecutive losses.
The total opened at 5.5 and trends are pointing to an UNDER. The UNDER has hit in five of the Capitals’ last six games with an average combined score of 5.17 goals per game. The UNDER has also hit in four of the last five games for the Knights with an average combined score of 5.4 goals per game.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Washington Capitals were listed earlier today as -177 moneyline favorites at most sportsbooks tracked by OddsShark (including Sportsbook), while oddsmakers set the Sportsbook betting total around 5.5.
OddsShark prediction models pick the Capitals to win this game 3.6-1.7. 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
This season the Washington Capitals are 63-32-9 overall while the Vegas Golden Knights are 64-28-8. As for the totals, Washington is 54-45-5 on the OU, and Vegas is 48-48-4. 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 OddsShark, it's the No. 7-ranked Capitals and the No. 20-rated 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 power play has clicked at a 23.62% rate while the Golden Knights have a 81.73% rate on the penalty kill.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Last time out for Vegas, they were a 3-1 loser as they battled the Capitals on the road. Moneyline bettors who got the Capitals at -128 were rewarded, while the 4 combined goals moved the game UNDER for totals bettors.
Next Betting Matchups
Vegas home to Washington, Thursday, June 7