Las Vegas and Washington will play Game 3 of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Finals on Saturday. The opening faceoff from the CapitalOne Arena in Washington, DC is slated for 8:05 PM ET.

The teams split the first 2 games played in Las Vegas. The Golden Knights won the series opener 6-4 and Washington took Game 2 by a score of 3-2.

Currently (5/31), the NHL odds at 5Dimes is listing Washington as a money line favorite of -123 and there a posted total of 5.5.

Stanley Cup Finals Totals Trends

Since 1996, and not including pushes, Stanley Cup Finals games have gone 138-82 (62.7%) under the total. Additionally, since 2014, finals games are 32-14 (69.6%) under the total.

Home and Away Splits

The Vegas Golden Knights have gone a terrific 6-2 on the road during their impressive postseason run. They’ve seen just 1 of those 8 away games go over the total, and twice held their opponents scoreless.

The Washington Capitals have gone an outstanding 9-3 on the road during these 2018 NHL Playoffs. On the negative side of things, they’re an uninspiring 4-5 on home ice. Washington has gone over the total just once in their last 6 games at home.

Goaltenders

Marc-Andre Fleury was sensational in goal for Las Vegas during their first 3 series wins. It was well publicized that Fleury was unequivocally a front-runner to win the 2018 Conn Smythe Trophy (NHL Playoffs MVP) and rightfully so. However, he’s looked human during the first 2 games of this series while allowing 7 goals and collecting an easily forgotten .870 save percentage.

Braden Holtby has also allowed 7 goals in the first 2 games of this Stanley Cup Final. Nevertheless, he did compile a respectable .903 save percentage during those outings. Holtby was especially instrumental in helping Washington even the series during its Game 2 victory by stopping 37 of 39 Las Vegas shots on goal.

Notable Team Trends

Washington has played its last 3 games on the road. The Capitals have gone an extremely profitable 15-3 over the last 2 seasons following 3 straight away games.

Conversely, Las Vegas has been at home for each of its last 3 games. They’re a terrific 24-6 this season following 2 consecutive road games, and that includes a series opening 6-4 win in this series opener.

Final Thoughts and Prediction

There’s been a lot of attention centered around a first-year expansion team like Las Vegas reaching the Stanley Cup Finals and justifiably so. Nevertheless, we can’t ignore Washington’s first Finals appearance since 1998. Additionally, the Capitals are pursuing their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. Their long-suffering fans will surely be stoked on Saturday night with that in mind. I look for Washington to come out flying for Game 3 and continue that pace throughout the duration. 

Pick: Washington Capitals -123

Ross Benjamin is a top sports analyst and one of the sports industry's most respected handicappers. Follow him on Twitter: @RossBenjamin1 or visit his website at RBWins.com