The Capitals have slipped to -130 and at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook they are all the way down to -120.<\/p>\n
For some inexplicable reason, Washington has struggled at home during the playoffs. They are 4-5, including two losses in the first two games to the Columbus Blue Jackets, a team that they were supposed to beat easily.<\/p>\n
Capitals’ defenseman John Carlson tried to justify the team\u2019s woeful record in front of fans.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve put together some pretty darn good games at home that we just couldn\u2019t find those little plays,\u201d Carlson said. \u201cThere are big moments that we didn\u2019t take advantage of in certain situations and that\u2019s why our record is what is as at home and away.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\nIf they are going to win Game 3 and 4, they might be doing so without star center Evgeny Kuznetsov. He was knocked out of the game after a hit by Vegas defenseman Brayden McNabb late in the first period. He did not return, but captain Alex Ovechkin said the team rallied after their top scorer was knocked out.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood response by all of us,\u201d Ovechkin said. \u201cWe lost our top guy. But those guys played extra minutes, extra shifts, and did whatever it takes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Riding Hot Goalie<\/h2>\n
Before the series began, Golden Knights goalie Marc-Andre Fleury was leading his team and putting himself as the favorite to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff’s MVP. His run to the Stanley Cup Finals has been one of the best in the modern era by a net minder.<\/p>\n
\n
\u201cFlower\u201d as he is called, had a .947 save percentage through three series. That mark is the best in NHL history for goalies, with at least 15 playoff games played. In that time he has compiled an 11-3 record, a 1.77 goals against average, and posted three shutouts.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\nBut in two games, it’s his opponent, Braden Holtby, who has outshined the three-time Stanley Cup winning goalie. Holtby ensured the team\u2019s Game 2 victory<\/a> when he made an unbelievable save on an open net shot by Alex Tuch, blocking the shot with his stick.<\/p>\nAndre Burakovsky watched the play from the bench and couldn\u2019t believe what he saw.<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean, my heart stopped on the bench,” Burakovsky said. \u201cI mean, the last five minutes I never think I’ve been this nervous in my life. When he saved that, I was just, I mean, it’s unbelievable.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
If Washington is going to win the Stanley Cup, the hockey team is going to have to play better at home. They get that chance Saturday in Game 3 at Capital One Arena when they host the Vegas Golden Knights in what is sure to be a tough match. The series is tied at a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16,1074],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Capitals Hope Hope for Victory in Stanley Cup Finals Game 3 Over VGK<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n