Knights need to ‘get big guns going’ for Game 5 against Capitals
Posted June 7, 2018 8:23 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
LAS VEGAS (NEWS 1130) – Hockey fans will be glued to their TVs later today as the Washington Capitals look to claim the franchise’s first-ever Stanley Cup with a Game 5 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights.
James Cybulski with Sportsnet 650 says the Knights have home ice advantage, and need to make that work for them.
“They certainly play ridiculously well at home based on the numbers over the course of the regular season, but Washington’s nine-and-three on the road so far in these Stanley Cup Playoffs. This is a team that really kind of came together after losing the first two games at home in round one against Columbus, so that’s a tough out.”
He adds the team needs to get its big guns going if it wants to come out on top. “Marc-André Fleury has not looked like the same goaltender that he was in the first six weeks of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Struggling so far against the Capitals and a lot of their big guns — like William Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault have also gone noticeably quiet as well.”
Considering the Knights are an expansion team, Cybulski admits no one thought they’d get this far. He explains many “expected the bubble to burst” first in October, then again at the trade deadline. “Everybody waited for them to flame out in round one, and they’re still here.”
With the Capitals up 3-games-to-1 and looking to a final win, Cybulski says the team captain will likely take the trophy for playoff MVP if Washington claims the victory.
“I think Alex Ovechkin is going to get the sentimental vote from a lot of the people that get to vote on the Conn Smythe trophy, and not just that. He’s been the catalyst for this team. 14 goals in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and a guy who often gets this team going. He’s done everything asked of him and it’s a feel-good story for the National Hockey League with that missing-tooth smile hoisting Lord Stanley.”
