JACK BRAYMAN
While goaltending and quickness are the strength of the Golden Knights, there is plenty of playoff experience on Washington's side. And Ovechkin, of all people, has been waiting a long time for this.
Ovie looks like a man on a mission right now - just watch the first 1:02 of Game 7 in the Eastern Conference Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning, as he wasted no time in getting the scoring underway.
And we can talk all we want about Fleury, but when you combine the explosiveness of Ovechkin and his linemates, with the play of Capitals goalie Braden Holtby - who hasn't allowed a goal since Game 5 of the conference final - and you get a team on the brink of a championship.
The Golden Knights are a fairy tale for the NHL, and all of sports, but Vegas is also facing a team of destiny in the Capitals, who have put their past playoff disappointments behind them to get this far. It's the second time in their history and first time since 1998 the Caps are in the Stanley Cup Final.
The x-factor for this series is special teams. The Capitals have proven to be much better on the power play, than Vegas. They've proven they can capitalize with the man advantage, while the Golden Knights are relying on too Fleury too much.
Ovechkin has shown he is a true leader and is very much still a dominant offensive force, and Holtby has re-established himself as a stellar netminder at the right time.
I also think Washington has gotten here after tougher competition, and will be battled tested, more so than Vegas.
Take the Caps, and look for them to wrap this up in 6.
3* CAPITALS (series)