It looked as if they have fooled us yet again. When Washington took a 2-0 series lead on Tampa Bay it appeared as if things were different. This time would be unlike all of their previous playoff failures. Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals would finally finish. Stanley Cup dreams would become reality. But then Tampa Bay demonstrated why they are Stanley Cup Playoff odds chalks. The top seed of the Eastern Conference ripped off three straight wins. But in game six the Capitals bravely staved off elimination. The winner take all game seven is Wednesday night.
Washington Capitals vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Game 7
Date and Time: Wednesday, May 23, 2018, 8 p.m. ET
Location: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida
NHL Betting Online Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capitals | +1½ (-230) | 5½ (-105) |  |
| Lightning | -1½ (+190) | 5½ (-115) | |
| |||
Stanley Cup Playoffs TV Coverage: NBCSN
The Series so Far
The winner of game seven will be Eastern Conference champions. And will face the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Final. Washington posted a 3-0 shutout win in game six. The Caps carried the play with a 34-24 shots advantage. Washington goaltender Braden Holtby stoned the Bolts when it mattered most. He has been a key asset with the Stanley Cup Playoff odds. TJ Oshie came up clutch with two goals for the Capitals.
Boiling Point
There will be considerable pressure on both teams but for different reasons. Washington is well known for playoff failures each spring. They last made the Stanley Cup Final 20 years ago. But Tampa Bay is the top seed in the Eastern Conference. They rallied from 0-2 down to take a 3-2 lead. Only to fail to kill off the Caps. Now on home ice in game seven the Bolts face the prospect of elimination. Few events in sports can match the breathless intensity of an NHL game seven. And for the loser of this game the pain will be unbearable.
Team vs Team Stats
Washington has been far better on the road in the playoffs. The Caps have beaten the sportsbook in six of eight games on enemy ice this spring. Four of their last five away playoff games went under the total. Tampa Bay has paid out in six of nine home playoff games so far. Just two of their last seven on home ice went over the total. Washington has won two of their three games at Tampa Bay in this series. Just one of the games went under over the total.
Important Players on the Ice
Obviously, Alex Ovechkin looms ever large for the Capitals. “The Great Eight” has 11 goals with 10 assists and a plus four so far in post season. Washington center Evgeny Kuznetsov has been just as good. Kuznetsov has 11 goals with 12 assists and a plus six. Holtby has had a solid playoff with a save percentage of .919. And a 2.15 goals against average with a shutout. Andrei Vasilevskiy has a .920 save percentage for the Lightning. His goals against average is .920.
Matchup to Watch
Washington makes for a contrarian bet with the Stanley Cup Playoff odds. The reputed chokers did not fold on Monday night. Tampa Bay is likely to regret letting them off the hook.
NHL Conference Final Playoff Lines Picks
The Washington Capitals should complete their upset of top seed Tampa Bay
NHL Betting Online Pick: Washington Capitals
NHL Betting Online Score Prediction: Capitals 3, Lightning 1
Catch highlights of the Caps game six win!