Stanley Cup Finals Game 4 Will Test Golden Knights Mettle

It was just one game, but it was enough to shift the betting lines for the NHL Stanley Cup Finals. In Game 3 in Washington, the Vegas Golden Knights suffered their second consecutive defeat, and now find themselves as the underdog to win Lord Stanley’s coveted prize.

The first-year expansion team had become the darling of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs and  were favorites entering the Finals — listed at -140, while the Capitals were a +120.

Now, after two games where the Knights were unable to solve a Caps defense led by goalkeeper Braden Holtby, the tables have turned, with Washington now favored at -240 to win the Cup, with Vegas paying out at +200.

Monday’s Game 4 puts Vegas as the underdog. The line opened at +105 for the Golden Knights, and has fluctuated depending on the sportsbook. BetOnline and Sportsbetting.ag have the line at +119, while William Hill and Stations Casinos in Nevada dropped their odds to +100.

The Capitals, who won convincingly on Saturday, 3-1, opened at -125. Intertops pushed them to -135, while William Hill and Stations knocked them down to -120.

Getting Back to Even

Saturday’s loss was the team’s second straight and the first time that has happened in the playoffs. One problem was a lack of shots on goal. In Game 3, they were outshot 26-22.

“We have to get more pucks on net,” forward Ryan Reaves said in post-game interviews. “Twenty-two shots isn’t going to win you many games.”

But there were other issues. Defensive lapses were the biggest. Shea Theodore had one of his worst games as a professional, and one play by the defenseman cost the team a goal.

“On that play, I tried to keep the puck in (the attacking zone) the best I can,” Theodore said. “When you don’t have a stick, it’s tough to back out, especially on an odd-man rush. That’s one I’d like to have back.”

Players were adamant they can overcome the many gaffes that have been made in the last two games.

“I think everybody knows what’s at stake right now,” goalie Marc-Andre Fleury said. “We have to find ways to come back in games, keep battling. It’s the finals. I don’t think anybody needs a reminder to play hard.”

Line Changes Coming?

The second line has been an issue for the Golden Knights. Forwards Erik Haula, James Neal, and David Perron have been consistently outplayed by their Washington counterparts. In 180 minutes of hockey, the trio has a combined three points (1 goal, 2 assists), just 10 shots on goal, seven shots blocked, seven missed shots, and a woeful -9 rating.

“We gotta get pucks to the net,” Neal said. “We didn’t have enough shots. We didn’t have enough bodies going to the net. They outbattled us. We’re going to look at that and fix it.”

Coach Gerard Gallant might do that for them. He is pondering changing up the lines a bit in an effort to try and pump some life into the team.

“We’ve got to step up our game,” Gallant said. “In the three games, we haven’t been good enough. If we don’t step up our game, the same result’s going to happen. We’ll see what we’re made of.”