Alex Ovechkin has waited a long time to get a crack at the Stanley Cup. Now his Washington Capitals are set as underdogs against the upstart Vegas Golden Knights.
Sin City is a divided place these days as the Vegas Golden Knights continue their unfathomable run Monday night, hosting the Washington Capitals in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final. While Vegas fans are delirious about the expansion team making it all the way to the championship round, a handful of sportsbooks are going to take a major hit if their local team does the impossible and wins the Stanley Cup in its first year of existence.
Capitals vs. Golden Knights Stanley Cup Final Odds
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 24 May 5:19pm | WAS | -1.5 +195 | U +5.5 -125 |
| Closing 28 May 10:24pm | WAS | -1.5 +165 | U +5.5 -125 |
The Golden Knights are comfortable favourites not only to win Game 1, but to prevail in the seven-game series (-139). Vegas has been one of the most dangerous home teams in the league this season, having lost just 12 times at T-Mobile Arena all season. But oddsmakers have given two finals results the lowest odds – the Golden Knights prevailing in seven games, and the Capitals winning the Stanley Cup in six games (both +400).
In terms of totals, bettors should pay close attention to the strong under trends that both teams carry into the final. The Golden Knights have gone below the total in four of their previous five games overall, and are 1-5 O/U in their previous six vs. Eastern Conference opponents. The Capitals went under three times with two pushes in their final five games of their Eastern Conference final win over Tampa, and are 2-12 O/U in their last 14 vs. the Pacific Division.
Washington Capitals
The Capitals are looking for their first Stanley Cup final victory – they were swept by Detroit in their only other appearance – and to get it, they’ll need their best players to be the best players in this NHL matchup. Washington superstar Alex Ovechkin is the best bet to find the back of the net in Game 1, listed at -105 to score and -135 to be held without a goal. Ovechkin is also installed at -230 to record at least one point in the opener, and +165 to be held off the scoresheet.
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Capitals Team Leaders
| Points |
87 |
| + / - |
24 |
| Shots |
355 |
| Penalty Mins |
187 |
| Wins |
34 |
| GAA |
2.35 |
| Points |
78 |
| + / - |
49 |
| Shots |
268 |
| Penalty Mins |
53 |
| Wins |
29 |
| GAA |
1.78 |
| Points |
32 |
| + / - |
17 |
| Shots |
99 |
| Penalty Mins |
31 |
| Wins |
16 |
| GAA |
2.16 |
| Points |
22 |
| + / - |
8 |
| Shots |
86 |
| Penalty Mins |
27 |
| Wins |
13 |
| GAA |
2.24 |
Vegas Golden Knights
Not only have the Golden Knights been incredible at home – they’ve been virtually unbeatable against the cream of the crop, having won 15 of their previous 16 games at T-Mobile Arena vs. teams with winning road records. William Karlsson is Vegas’ top option to score a goal in Game 1, listed at +125 to do so (and -175 to go without scoring). Alex Tuch, who has six goals in 15 postseason games, is a solid live longshot to score at +345.
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Golden Knights Team Leaders
| Points |
87 |
| + / - |
24 |
| Shots |
355 |
| Penalty Mins |
187 |
| Wins |
34 |
| GAA |
2.35 |
| Points |
78 |
| + / - |
49 |
| Shots |
268 |
| Penalty Mins |
53 |
| Wins |
29 |
| GAA |
1.78 |
| Points |
32 |
| + / - |
17 |
| Shots |
99 |
| Penalty Mins |
31 |
| Wins |
16 |
| GAA |
2.16 |
| Points |
22 |
| + / - |
8 |
| Shots |
86 |
| Penalty Mins |
27 |
| Wins |
13 |
| GAA |
2.24 |
Injuries
John Carlson (D)
Nicklas Backstrom (C)
Tom Wilson (RW)
Evgeny Kuznetsov (C)
T.J. Oshie (RW)
Devante Smith-Pelly (RW)
Andre Burakovsky (LW)
Michal Kempny (D)
Travis Boyd (C)
Alex Chiasson (RW)
William Carrier (LW)
Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (LW)
Jonathan Marchessault (C)
Erik Haula (LW)
David Perron (LW)
Deryk Engelland (D)
Reilly Smith (RW)
Shea Theodore (D)
Luca Sbisa (D)
Nate Schmidt (D)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Carlson (D) | Prob Mon | Upper Body - 06 / 05 / 18 | 10-3 | 4-6-3 | + - |
|
Carlson is expected to suit up against the Penguins in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Second Round despite being evaluated for an upper-body injury. |
|||||
| Nicklas Backstrom (C) | Ques Tues | Hand - 05 / 05 / 18 | 10-4 | 4-7-3 | + - |
|
Backstrom has an injured right hand and it is undetermined if he will return to action for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Lightning. |
|||||
| Tom Wilson (RW) | Elig Wed | Suspension - 01 / 05 / 18 | 12-4 | 5-8-3 | + - |
|
Wilson has been handed a three-game suspension for an illegal check to the head of an unsuspecting opponent but is expected to be reinstated for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Second Round against the Penguins. |
|||||
| Evgeny Kuznetsov (C) | Prob Tues | Hand - 30 / 04 / 18 | 12-4 | 5-8-3 | + - |
|
Kuznetsov is dealing with a hand injury but is likely to play in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Second Round against the Penguins. |
|||||
| T.J. Oshie (RW) | Prob Tues | Hand - 30 / 04 / 18 | 12-4 | 5-8-3 | + - |
|
Oshie is expected to suit up against the Penguins in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Second Round despite a hand injury. |
|||||
| Devante Smith-Pelly (RW) | day-to-day | Foot - 19 / 04 / 18 | 15-6 | 7-11-3 | + - |
|
Smith-Pelly exited Thursday's game due to a right foot injury and it is unknown if he will return. |
|||||
| Andre Burakovsky (LW) | Ques Fri | Upper Body - 15 / 04 / 18 | 15-8 | 9-11-3 | + - |
|
Burakovsky had minor surgery for an upper-body injury and it is unknown if it will impede his status against the Lightning in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final. |
|||||
| Michal Kempny (D) | Prob Sun | Head - 12 / 04 / 18 | 16-8 | 10-11-3 | + - |
|
Kempny is dealing with a laceration above his right eye but is expected to play against the Blue Jackets in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round. |
|||||
| Travis Boyd (C) | Out Tues | Illness - 10 / 04 / 18 | 16-8 | 10-11-3 | + - |
|
Boyd is ailing due to an illness but has resumed skating. He will not return for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Blue Jackets. |
|||||
| Alex Chiasson (RW) | Ques Thurs | Lower Body - 08 / 04 / 18 | 16-8 | 10-11-3 | + - |
|
Chiasson is tending to a lower-body injury and it is unclear if he will be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Blue Jackets. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Carrier (LW) | Ques Thurs | Upper Body - 05 / 05 / 18 | 6-6 | 4-7-1 | + - |
|
Carrier sustained an upper-body injury and it is unknown if he will suit up for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Capitals. |
|||||
| Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (LW) | Ques Sat | Head - 28 / 04 / 18 | 8-7 | 7-7-1 | + - |
|
Bellemare sustained a head injury last game and it is undetermined if he will be available for Game 2 of the Western Conference Second Round against the Sharks. |
|||||
| Jonathan Marchessault (C) | Prob Wed | Undisclosed - 08 / 04 / 18 | 10-11 | 9-10-2 | + - |
|
Marchessault is nursing an unspecified injury but will play in Game 1 of the Western Conference First Round against the Kings. |
|||||
| Erik Haula (LW) | Out Tues | Rest - 03 / 04 / 18 | 10-13 | 10-11-2 | + - |
|
Haula will receive a day of rest and will not suit up against the Canucks for Tuesday's matchup. |
|||||
| David Perron (LW) | Prob Sun | Undisclosed - 28 / 03 / 18 | 11-15 | 11-13-2 | + - |
|
Perron has been held out of the lineup due to an unspecified injury but is expected to return for Game 3 of the Western Conference First Round against the Kings. |
|||||
| Deryk Engelland (D) | Prob Wed | Undisclosed - 26 / 03 / 18 | 12-15 | 11-14-2 | + - |
|
Engelland missed the last game due to an unspecified injury but is expected to be available against the Coyotes on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Reilly Smith (RW) | Ques Sat | Shoulder - 07 / 03 / 18 | 16-20 | 13-21-2 | + - |
|
Smith is sidelined with a shoulder injury and but has started skating. It is uncertain if he will return to the lineup against the Flames on Saturday. |
|||||
| Shea Theodore (D) | Prob Fri | Throat - 02 / 03 / 18 | 16-23 | 14-23-2 | + - |
|
Theodore is expected to rejoin the lineup Friday against the Senators after being sidelined since the middle of February with a sore throat. |
|||||
| Luca Sbisa (D) | Ques Mon | Hand - 01 / 03 / 18 | 16-23 | 14-23-2 | + - |
|
Sbisa is sidelined with a right hand injury and it is unclear if he will return for Game 3 of the Western Conference Second Round against the Sharks. |
|||||
| Nate Schmidt (D) | Prob Sat | Upper Body - 01 / 03 / 18 | 16-23 | 14-23-2 | + - |
|
Schmidt was held out of his fourth-straight game with an upper-body injury but is likely to play Saturday against the Sabres. |
|||||
Capitals vs. Golden Knights Prediction
-
WASHINGTON CAPITALS
1 -
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS
3
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 24 May 5:19pm WAS -1.5 +195 U +5.5 -125 Closing 28 May 10:24pm WAS -1.5 +165 U +5.5 -125 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Capitals Team Leaders
Points 87
+ / - 24
Shots 355
Penalty Mins 187
Wins 34
GAA 2.35
Points 78
+ / - 49
Shots 268
Penalty Mins 53
Wins 29
GAA 1.78
Points 32
+ / - 17
Shots 99
Penalty Mins 31
Wins 16
GAA 2.16
Points 22
+ / - 8
Shots 86
Penalty Mins 27
Wins 13
GAA 2.24
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Golden Knights Team Leaders
Points 87
+ / - 24
Shots 355
Penalty Mins 187
Wins 34
GAA 2.35
Points 78
+ / - 49
Shots 268
Penalty Mins 53
Wins 29
GAA 1.78
Points 32
+ / - 17
Shots 99
Penalty Mins 31
Wins 16
GAA 2.16
Points 22
+ / - 8
Shots 86
Penalty Mins 27
Wins 13
GAA 2.24
-
Injuries
John Carlson (D)
Prob Mon Upper Body - 06 / 05 / 18Nicklas Backstrom (C)
Ques Tues Hand - 05 / 05 / 18Tom Wilson (RW)
Elig Wed Suspension - 01 / 05 / 18Evgeny Kuznetsov (C)
Prob Tues Hand - 30 / 04 / 18T.J. Oshie (RW)
Prob Tues Hand - 30 / 04 / 18Devante Smith-Pelly (RW)
day-to-day Foot - 19 / 04 / 18Andre Burakovsky (LW)
Ques Fri Upper Body - 15 / 04 / 18Michal Kempny (D)
Prob Sun Head - 12 / 04 / 18Travis Boyd (C)
Out Tues Illness - 10 / 04 / 18Alex Chiasson (RW)
Ques Thurs Lower Body - 08 / 04 / 18William Carrier (LW)
Ques Thurs Upper Body - 05 / 05 / 18Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (LW)
Ques Sat Head - 28 / 04 / 18Jonathan Marchessault (C)
Prob Wed Undisclosed - 08 / 04 / 18Erik Haula (LW)
Out Tues Rest - 03 / 04 / 18David Perron (LW)
Prob Sun Undisclosed - 28 / 03 / 18Deryk Engelland (D)
Prob Wed Undisclosed - 26 / 03 / 18Reilly Smith (RW)
Ques Sat Shoulder - 07 / 03 / 18Shea Theodore (D)
Prob Fri Throat - 02 / 03 / 18Luca Sbisa (D)
Ques Mon Hand - 01 / 03 / 18Nate Schmidt (D)
Prob Sat Upper Body - 01 / 03 / 18Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes John Carlson (D) Prob Mon Upper Body - 06 / 05 / 18 10-3 4-6-3 + - Carlson is expected to suit up against the Penguins in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Second Round despite being evaluated for an upper-body injury.
Nicklas Backstrom (C) Ques Tues Hand - 05 / 05 / 18 10-4 4-7-3 + - Backstrom has an injured right hand and it is undetermined if he will return to action for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Lightning.
Tom Wilson (RW) Elig Wed Suspension - 01 / 05 / 18 12-4 5-8-3 + - Wilson has been handed a three-game suspension for an illegal check to the head of an unsuspecting opponent but is expected to be reinstated for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Second Round against the Penguins.
Evgeny Kuznetsov (C) Prob Tues Hand - 30 / 04 / 18 12-4 5-8-3 + - Kuznetsov is dealing with a hand injury but is likely to play in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Second Round against the Penguins.
T.J. Oshie (RW) Prob Tues Hand - 30 / 04 / 18 12-4 5-8-3 + - Oshie is expected to suit up against the Penguins in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Second Round despite a hand injury.
Devante Smith-Pelly (RW) day-to-day Foot - 19 / 04 / 18 15-6 7-11-3 + - Smith-Pelly exited Thursday's game due to a right foot injury and it is unknown if he will return.
Andre Burakovsky (LW) Ques Fri Upper Body - 15 / 04 / 18 15-8 9-11-3 + - Burakovsky had minor surgery for an upper-body injury and it is unknown if it will impede his status against the Lightning in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final.
Michal Kempny (D) Prob Sun Head - 12 / 04 / 18 16-8 10-11-3 + - Kempny is dealing with a laceration above his right eye but is expected to play against the Blue Jackets in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round.
Travis Boyd (C) Out Tues Illness - 10 / 04 / 18 16-8 10-11-3 + - Boyd is ailing due to an illness but has resumed skating. He will not return for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Blue Jackets.
Alex Chiasson (RW) Ques Thurs Lower Body - 08 / 04 / 18 16-8 10-11-3 + - Chiasson is tending to a lower-body injury and it is unclear if he will be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Blue Jackets.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes William Carrier (LW) Ques Thurs Upper Body - 05 / 05 / 18 6-6 4-7-1 + - Carrier sustained an upper-body injury and it is unknown if he will suit up for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Capitals.
Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (LW) Ques Sat Head - 28 / 04 / 18 8-7 7-7-1 + - Bellemare sustained a head injury last game and it is undetermined if he will be available for Game 2 of the Western Conference Second Round against the Sharks.
Jonathan Marchessault (C) Prob Wed Undisclosed - 08 / 04 / 18 10-11 9-10-2 + - Marchessault is nursing an unspecified injury but will play in Game 1 of the Western Conference First Round against the Kings.
Erik Haula (LW) Out Tues Rest - 03 / 04 / 18 10-13 10-11-2 + - Haula will receive a day of rest and will not suit up against the Canucks for Tuesday's matchup.
David Perron (LW) Prob Sun Undisclosed - 28 / 03 / 18 11-15 11-13-2 + - Perron has been held out of the lineup due to an unspecified injury but is expected to return for Game 3 of the Western Conference First Round against the Kings.
Deryk Engelland (D) Prob Wed Undisclosed - 26 / 03 / 18 12-15 11-14-2 + - Engelland missed the last game due to an unspecified injury but is expected to be available against the Coyotes on Wednesday.
Reilly Smith (RW) Ques Sat Shoulder - 07 / 03 / 18 16-20 13-21-2 + - Smith is sidelined with a shoulder injury and but has started skating. It is uncertain if he will return to the lineup against the Flames on Saturday.
Shea Theodore (D) Prob Fri Throat - 02 / 03 / 18 16-23 14-23-2 + - Theodore is expected to rejoin the lineup Friday against the Senators after being sidelined since the middle of February with a sore throat.
Luca Sbisa (D) Ques Mon Hand - 01 / 03 / 18 16-23 14-23-2 + - Sbisa is sidelined with a right hand injury and it is unclear if he will return for Game 3 of the Western Conference Second Round against the Sharks.
Nate Schmidt (D) Prob Sat Upper Body - 01 / 03 / 18 16-23 14-23-2 + - Schmidt was held out of his fourth-straight game with an upper-body injury but is likely to play Saturday against the Sabres.