By Stephen Nover

Capitals minus $1.16 vs. Islanders (Early Start)

It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the Islanders win this series. But it would surprise me if the Islanders win this game.

The Capitals have a championship pedigree. They know what it’s like to come back from a 2-0 series deficit. Realistically it’s all on the line for the cornered Capitals in this game and they’ll have my backing at this short lay price.

Former Capitals head man Barry Trotz wants to keep cracking the whip on his Islanders. It’s only human nature, though, for the Islanders to feel good about themselves up 2-0 in the series and off a 5-2 Friday victory. I’m making a pizza bet that the Islanders’ intensity drops down a notch. That would hurt them because they are all about effort and disciplined defense.

Washington has a history of responding well to this spot going 41-20 the past 61 times it has lost by three or more goals. The Islanders also have lost 11 of the last 14 times they were underdogs.

The Capitals have the two best players on the ice in Alex Ovechkin and defenseman John Carlson. Washington definitely has the firepower to solve the Islanders’ defense even without injured Nicklas Backstrom. Ovechkin is playing well. The Islanders haven’t been able to stop him. Evgeny Kuznetsov, T.J. Oshie, Jakub Vrana and Tom Wilson give the Capitals a strong edge in firepower. So the weapons are there. It’s just a case of the Capitals solving a defense they are familiar with and strengthening their resolve after breaking out to early leads in both games.
I have my Stanley Cup Game of the Year going today in addition to this free selection. This is the fourth straight season I have turned a profit in the NHL. I also am having a winning baseball season and have won 60 percent of my NBA plays this season, including the last seven. If you are interested in my sports service please email me at scriber26@gmail.com, or message me via Twitter. Best of luck and no bad beats! 

 

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