Capitals vs. Golden Knights Prediction
Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals saw 10 goals scored and the Las Vegas Golden Knights outlasting the visiting Washington Capitals. Can Washington bounce back as the underdog tonight to even the series at a game apiece?
Game Snapshot
3 Washington Capitals at 4 Las Vegas Golden Knights
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
T-Mobile Arena at 8PM ET
TV: NBCSN
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Golden Knights are a -150 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Capitals are a +130 underdog, while the total is set at 5.5 goals. As of Wednesday morning, 57 percent of public bets are being placed on Washington. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for the latest information.
Nosek scores twice in win
Las Vegas center Tomas Nosek had a strong Game 1 as he scored two goals to lead the late charge in the 6-4 victory. It was his first multi-goal game of the season and he only had one previous goal during the playoffs. During the regular season, he had seven goals and eight assists in 67 games. With the score tied at 4-4, Nosek scored with 10:16 remaining to put Las Vegas up by a goal. He added an empty net goal with three seconds remaining to seal the victory. William Karlsson, Ryan Reaves, Reilly Smith and Colin Miller also scored in the win for the Golden Knights. Marc-Andre Fleury made 24 saves on 28 shots.
Backstrom tallies two points
Despite playing with a damaged hand that forced him to miss four playoff games, Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom had a goal and an assist in the Game 1 loss at the Golden Knights. Backstrom’s goal staked Washington to a 2-1 advantage with 4:37 left in the first period. After Las Vegas took back the lead at 3-2, Backstrom assisted on a John Carlson goal to even the score with 11:31 remaining in the second period. Brett Connolly and Tom Wilson also scored in the loss. Braden Holtby surrendered five goals on 33 shots to take the loss.
NHL Betting Trends
Washington
The over is 4-0 in the last four Capitals games versus the Western Conference. Washington is 13-3 in its last 16 road games.
Las Vegas
The Golden Knights are 16-1 in their last 17 games versus a team with a winning road record. Las Vegas is 4-1 in its last five games versus the Eastern Conference.
Prediction:
Las Vegas is now 36-10-2-1 at home this season and now Game 1 despite not being as clean as usual defensively. Expect Las Vegas to be tighter on the back end tonight while finding enough offense to get the job done. The crowd will be rocking again and I’m betting on the expansion Golden Knights to push the series lead to 2-0.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: LAS VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS -150