Back and forth the Washington Capitals (48-28-8-4) and the New York Islanders (50-30-2-6) have gone here in the first round of the playoffs. They'll do battle one last time with a date with the New York Rangers awaiting the winner of this do-or-die Game 7.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Even though history really isn't on the side of the Caps, they’re the understandable favorites in this game at -140. They have played really well here at home after getting beaten up in Game 1, the best of which was a 5-1 romp here in Game 5, a game which got out of hand in the third period.
GOALIE REPORT
There’s been an average of 63.8 shots per game in this series, and the fact that there have only been an average of 4.67 goals per game is a testament to just how good Jaroslav Halak and Braden Holtby have been.
These two men aren't looked upon as the crème de la crème in the NHL in terms of net minders, but both have had points in this series where they’ve single-handedly kept their team in it.
Halak served up the last great performance, holding Washington to just one goal on 39 shots on Saturday night in Game 6.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"To me, at the end of the day, their desperation level was higher than ours. Now we're both desperate." – Washington head coach Barry Trotz on the urgency needed for both teams in Game 7
SITUATIONAL BETTING
The power play might be the only thing that keeps this season alive for either of these teams. Sure, Washington scored the lone power play goal in Game 6, and that didn't prove to be enough to win the game, but one goal might be enough in Game 7, especially if that famed power play goal comes later on.
Here's the problem in looking for it. Washington is just 2-for-13 in this series with the man advantage, while New York is 0-for-13.
PROP TALK
The Capitals have been getting more and more shots on goal of late against the back defensive pairings of the Islanders. Travis Harmonic and Lubomir Visnovsky are both still out with injuries, and the Isles have been getting tons of shots as a result. They’ve reached at least 30 in three of their last four, and they could be set for more shots on goal come Monday night as well.
ANALYSIS & PREDICTION
The Capitals were probably a bit unlucky on Saturday night on the Island. They were snake bitten by the home ice advantage of New York, of course, but they also outplayed the Islanders for large chunks of that game.
Not having Visnovsky is proving to be a huge loss for the Islanders, and we aren't sure that, in a defensive minded Game 7, they’re going to be able to overcome that.
Washington might not have a great history in Game 7s, but at least it has a history with them. The Islanders haven't played a Game 7 since 2002.
Look for the Caps to get the job done in what should be a thrilling game that lives up to the billing of being a Game 7 in such a tight series.
Washington 2, New York 1
BookMaker will open the odds for this Monday game before anyone else on the internet. Now you can wager in-game while the action unfolds with BookMaker's live betting option.
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly interface on your smartphone or tablet provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! Game 7 of the series between the New York Islanders and the Washington Capitals will start at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, April 27, 2015 at the Verizon Center in Washington DC. The contest will be broadcast nationally on NBC Sports Network.
