Many critics contended during the playoffs that the NHL essentially rigged the expansion draft to ensure the Knights would thrive in their inaugural season, but that’s revisionist history at its finest.
Betting
Las Vegas sports books stood to lose $5 million to $7 million on the Knights had they hoisted the Stanley Cup, but avoiding a record loss didn’t translate into big wins for the books.
Bettors are backing Vegas as favorites over the Washington Capitals in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final ranging from minus 150 to minus 160 at Las Vegas sports books.
The Golden Knights, who have dropped the past three games after winning the opener, never have lost four consecutive games and are 7-2 at home in the playoffs.
William Karlsson and Alex Ovechkin are the 7-1 co-favorites to score the first goal of Game 5 on Thursday at T-Mobile Arena.
Westgate sports book manager Jeff Sherman said 84 percent of the tickets are on the Knights and 88 percent of the money is on Vegas in Game 4.
The Knights have lost three straight games only three times in their first 100 games and handicapper Dana Lane doesn’t expect it to happen again in Game 4.
The Washington Capitals opened as minus 120 favorites over the Golden Knights (Even) at the William Hill sports book in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
Vegas’ price ranges from minus 110 at Boyd Gaming sports book, which also has the Capitals at minus 110, to plus 110 at the Wynn Las Vegas sports book.
For Golden Knights fans, the hours are slowly moving toward Game 3. Not even plus money can erase the apprehension about what lies ahead in the Stanley Cup Final.
The Golden Knights are 23-11 in games after a loss, including a 3-0 record in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Handicapper Dana Lane expects them to win Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final at Washington.
The Washington Capitals and Golden Knights meet in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final at 5 p.m. Saturday at Capital One Arena in Washington. The best-of-seven series is tied 1-1.