Yes, they are considered favs. It took 15 games for them to get here. But playing more games by the Caps also can be an advantage.
Experts split on Stanley Cup finals matchup, but one very good dog picks the CapsThe Capitals
are underdogs in the Stanley Cup finals against the Vegas Golden Knights, a role that has suited them just fine throughout their playoff run. As the teams prepare to drop the puck on Game 1 Monday in Sin City, here’s a look at what some of the experts outside of the sportsbooks are saying about the series.
NHL.comSeven experts predict the Capitals will win the Stanley Cup. The other seven pick the Golden Knights. Staff writer Tom Gulitti and senior fantasy editor Pete Jensen are among those who picked Washington, and they’re the only two who picked the Capitals to defeat the Lightning in the Eastern Conference finals.
“I learned during the regular season not to pick against the Golden Knights, but they are facing another team of destiny in the Capitals, who have put their past playoff disappointments behind them to reach the Stanley Cup Final for the second time in their history and first time since 1998,” Gulitti writes.
ESPNEight of 14 experts pick the Capitals to prevail, with Evgeny Kuznetsov, Braden Holtby and Ovechkin all receiving votes for the Conn Smythe Trophy. Impressively, ESPN the Magazine senior editor Aimee Crawford and SportsCenter anchor Steve Levy both picked the Capitals to defeat the Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup finals at the start of the playoffs. (They’re not changing their picks now.)
The Hockey News“After being sat for most of the first two games of the playoffs against Columbus, star netminder Braden Holtby is living up to his reputation as a Vezina-winning goalie, posting back-to-back shutouts in two straight elimination games against Tampa Bay,” Ryan Kennedy writes. “He is in the zone right now and with his ability to track pucks, it’s going to be tough to rattle him at this point.” THN’s prediction? Capitals in seven.
USA TodayThree out of four experts pick the Capitals to hoist the Stanley Cup. Jimmy Hascup predicts it will happen in Game 7, with Ovechkin scoring the overtime winner.
PuppiesDid someone say underdogs? Goldilocks, an eight-week-old Toy Fox Terrier mix, picks the Capitals to win it all. (We know this because Goldilocks finished her kibble before Adidas, an American Staffordshire terrier mix, in the NHL-produced video below.)
<blockquote>IMPORTANT: Little puppers are eating their way to
#StanleyCup Final predictions. Make what you will of it. You're welcome.
pic.twitter.com/3rTLZ2sFad— NHL (@NHL)
May 27, 2018</blockquote>
NBC Sports Washington
Nine out of 10 experts, including Joe Beninati, Tarik El-Bashir, Al Koken, Craig Laughlin and Alan May, pick the Capitals. The lone dissenter is 106.7 The Fan and “Caps Overtime” host Grant Paulsen, who predicts the Golden Knights will prevail in six games.
Vice CanadaSean McIndoe predicts the Capitals will sweep, with Ovechkin scoring the overtime winner in Game 4.
Sportsnet“While the Capitals have a bit of an advantage in quality offense, the advantage the Golden Knights have defensively is a bit more significant, and as great as Holtby has been at times, it’s been exceedingly rare for Fleury to have an off period, let alone an off game,” Andrew Berkshire writes. “Because of that, I’m leaning Golden Knights in this one, but I can’t say I’m confident in that prediction.”
The Washington PostNeil Greenberg says the Capitals should be favored and likes Washington to win in six games.
