The Washington Capitals will travel to Las Vegas, Nevada to take on the Golden Knights on Thursday evening. This game 5 of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals will be an elimination game, as the Washington Capitals lead the best of seven series, three games to one. Vegas will try to keep their season alive with a game 5 win.
The Golden Knights got off to a tremendous start in this series, winning game one, 6 to 4. The Capitals were quick to bounce back and won the next three contests to push the Golden Knights to the brink of elimination. The Golden Knights are -150 over the Washington Capitals on Thursday.
Capitals One Win Away from History
This is the first time that the Washington Capitals are playing in the Stanley Cup Finals in 20 years. If the Capitals are able to win the Stanley Cup, it would be the first time they have won the championship in franchise history. The Washington franchise has had plenty of recent success, but are reaching new heights this season.
Evgeny Kuznetsov has to be the front runner to win the Conn Smythe Award. Kuznetsov leads the Capitals in both points (31) and assists (19) in the 2018 playoffs, and was an offensive star in game 4. The young forward tallied four assists in the 6-2 win to push the Capitals to just one win away from winning the Stanley Cup.
Vegas Offense Must Show Up
The Vegas offense has completely disappeared since their terrific showing in game 1 of this series. After scoring 6 goals in the series opener, the Golden Knights have only scored five goals in the last three contests. Vegas has a very deep roster that features four terrific offensive lines, but none of these lines have been able to generate offense since game 1.
Vegas goalie, Marc-Andre Fleury, must find a way to play better in game 5 if the Golden Knights are going to extend the series. The veteran goalie allowed six goals on just 23 shots in the game 4 loss. The Washington Capitals continue to burn Fleury in power-play situations, and the Golden Knights must find a way to limit penalties in game 5.
Golden Knights Keep Season Alive at Home
The Capitals appear to be headed towards a Stanley Cup Title, but getting the job done in Las Vegas won’t be easy. The Capitals must try to score early in order to quiet what will be a very raucous Golden Knights crowd. Washington will hope that Braden Holtby will continue to provide them with solid play in net to limit the Vegas offense.
The Golden Knights must find offense if they plan on keeping their season alive. The Golden Knights have been getting great opportunities, but must find a way to slip goals past Holtby. Vegas has an uphill battle to come back and win the series, but they will keep their season alive with a game 5 win. Take the Vegas Golden Knights -150 over the Washington Capitals on Thursday.
