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Washington Capitals vs. Vegas Golden Knights: Game 4 prediction

By Dave Stevenson

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 02: Tom Wilson #43 of the Washington Capitals gets into an altercation with Deryk Engelland #5 of the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Three of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Capital One Arena on June 2, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 02: Tom Wilson #43 of the Washington Capitals gets into an altercation with Deryk Engelland #5 of the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Three of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Capital One Arena on June 2, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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The Washington Capitals face the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final in what should be a critical game for both teams

After taking Game 1 against the Washington Capitals, the Vegas Golden Knights were looking great. However, they’ve fallen apart since then, losing the last two games. In Game 3, the Caps were clearly the better team, as they dominated for a large part of the 60 minutes. Monday’s Game 4 should prove to be pivotal for both teams.

The Caps have recovered from a slightly disappointing Game 1. Though Vegas controlled the tempo in the first game, Washington has done so in the last two games. Especially in Game 3. The Caps neutral zone defense and forecheck is giving the Knights fits. Washington is also playing a chippy game, challenging Vegas early and often.

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Washington is 5-5 this postseason at home. They look to go above .500 with a win in Game 4. All of the momentum is with the Capitals, as they’ve scored six goals in the past two games while the Knights have merely scored three.

Caps forwards Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov are the two best skaters in the series and they’re proving why. Vegas must find an answer for them while still handling their impressive forward depth.

Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury kept Game 3 close, but the Knights weren’t able to take advantage of his performance. They must do so in Game 4. For the first time in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Knights are behind the eight-ball. This is the first time they’ve really faced adversity during their postseason run. How Vegas responds to it should determine how this game goes.

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The Capitals have goaltender Braden Holtby on their side. Aside from a brain fart in Game 3, he’s been fabulous in the past two games. The Knights must find a way to get pucks past him if they want to win.

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