Stanley Cup Finals Game 4

Washington Capitals vs Vegas Golden Knights

Washington Capitals -118, O/U 5.5 

 

We have Game 4 on tap for tonight, where the Golden Knights will look to even up the series before heading back home. They have lost back to back games for the first time these playoffs, so expect a bounce-back game from them tonight. The past two games have hit the under on the total goals and I wouldn’t be shocked if we see much of the same tonight.

Game Play Predictions

Vegas Golden Knights

- The Golden Knights have outshot the Capitals 61 to 52 over the past two games, but have only converted that into a total of three goals. The opportunities are nice, but they need to convert them into scoring chances since the Capitals defense has been so tough.

- Vegas only won 37% of face-offs in Game 3, which was their lowest in any game this series. They had a 58% win rate in Game 2 and a 52% win rate in Game 1. This needs to turn around in Game 4 for them to have a shot at more opportunities.

- Vegas is two-for-eight on the power-play this series and one for their last seven. Seriously struggling to convert on the man advantage, which has ground their offense to a halt.

- Vegas has taken 11 penalties this series, which is tied with the Capitals.

Players to Watch

- Jonathan Marchessault – He has taken 13 shots over the past two games and has no goals to show for it. He finished second on the team in total points in the regular season and with him being on the top forward line and the first power-play, they simply need more from him.

- Marc-Andre Fleury – Fleury has posted a save percentage under .900 in each of the three games this series, while that happened only three times in the first three rounds combined. He isn’t seeing as many shots so the sample size is smaller, just needs to be sharper in a pivotal Game 4.

- Brayden McNabb – This might be an off the board player to watch, but McNabb has very consistent on the blue line for the Knights while adding 11 hits over the past two games.

Washington Capitals

- Braden Holtby has only allowed three goals over the past two games while posting at .950 save percentage in each of the last two.

- The Capitals have four players with multi-point games over the past two games, which may not seem like a lot, but they have only scored six goals in that span.

- Alex Ovechkin has scored in back to back games for the first time since Game 1 and Game 2 of the Conference finals, which was back on May 11th and 13th.

- The Capitals had 10 players with two or more hits in Game 3, showing they are committed to being physical and challenging the Golden Knights at every chance they get.

Players to Watch

- Alex Ovechkin – As I mentioned before, he has a two-game goal streak going right now, and when he gets hot, he can be nearly unstoppable, especially on the power-play. I’m feeling yet another big game from him tonight.

- Tom Wilson – He has 11 hits over his past two games and will continue to be a physical force for the Capitals. When they need hits, he is the man out on the ice to tilt it in their favor.

- Evgeny Kuznetsov – He has one point or more in 12 of his last 13 games this postseason, and is doing everything he can to show why he is one of the most impactful centers in the league. There is no slowing this man down and expect him back in point column tonight.

Pre-Game Props

1) Which teams wins the opening faceoff?

I’m going with Washington on this one. As I mentioned before, the Golden Knights have been struggling with face-offs and until they prove it, you can’t be afraid of them.

2) VGK records the last shot on goal in the 1st period. We’ll leave this open until the 2:00 mark.

Going with Vegas on this one since they have been outshooting the Capitals in the past two games. They aren’t converting to goals, but the chances are there.

3) Either team scores in the 1st period.

YES! We have seen goals in the first period in two of the three games this series, so no slowing down for these two teams. I’m going big on this one.

4) Both teams combine for 16 or more shots on goal in the 1st period.

This is a tough one since we have seen fewer shots from the Capitals this series, but they have been more efficient. Vegas is taking shots, but not doing a whole lot with them. I’m going with no on this one.

5) R. Smith (VGK) or E. Kuznetsov (WSH) record a point in the first period.

Yes on this one. Both of these players are on the first forward line and the first power-play unit for their respective teams, so if there are scoring chances, they will likely be involved.

6)Which team records the first shot on goal?

Questions like this are truly are a toss up, but I’m on the Capitals for winning the opening faceoff, so hopefully, they can parlay that into having the first shot on goal.