The Washington Capitals got back at the Vegas Golden Knights, tying the series at 1-1 after notching a 3-2 win on Wednesday on the road. The Caps now head back home for their turn to host Vegas. Will the Caps gain the upper hand for the first time in the series? Or will Vegas get the series lead back?
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Betting Preview for the Vegas Golden Knights vs Washington Capitals Stanley Cup Finals Game 3 on June 2, 2018
When: Capital One Arena, Washington DC
When: Saturday, June 2, 8:00 PM EST
Line: Washington Capitals (point spread) vs Vegas Golden Knights (point spread) – view all NHL lines
TV Broadcast: NBCS, CBC
Betting on the Vegas Golden Knights (+1.5)
For the second game in a row, the Knights were able to outshoot Washington, as they had 39 shots in Game 2 compared to 26 by the Capitals. However, Marc-Andre Fleury was not up to snuff again, as the netminder allowed three goals out of the 26 shots he faced Wednesday night. He has now allowed seven goals in the Stanley Cup Finals where his form has been far below than the one he brandished in the previous rounds. The Knights need Fleury to recover his touch sooner than later, especially now that the series is shifting on the road. So far in the playoffs, Fleury is 13-4 with a 1.88 GAA and .939 SV% in 17 starts. The Golden Knights are also 3-1 in their last four road games. One positive thing Vegas could glean from Wednesday’s loss was that they were able to net a power play goal again. They now are 2-for-6 on the man advantage in the series.
Betting on the Washington Capitals (-1.5)
The goalie duel on Wednesday definitely belongs to the Caps’ Braden Holtby, who rejected 37 of the 39 shots he faced in Game 2. It was a solid bounce-back performance by the former Vezina Trophy winner after he surrendered five goals in the series opener. Following his superb performance in between the pipes, Holtby is now 13-7 with a 2.19 GAA and .921 SV%. It’s not all good news for the Caps, however, as they saw forward Evgeny Kuznetsov exit the game in the first period and did not return with an apparent upper-body injury (arm) after getting hit by Brayden McNabb. If Kuznetsov gets eventually ruled out for Game 3, it’ll be punch in the gut for the Caps, as Kuznetsov is the NHL’s leader in points in this postseason with 25 (11 goals, 14 assists). In case Kuznetsov sits out Saturday’s contest, Nicklas Backstrom could be promoted to the top line.
Washington is 5-5 ATS in its last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction:
Washington wins, 4-3.
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