Vegas to finish the job, Carolina to keep its season alive 
It took a second overtime for Vegas to seize control of this NHL Final. Game 4, set for the T-Mobile Arena in Vegas on Tuesday night into Wednesday, feels like a turning point in the series: for the Knights, it’s about backing up that Game 1 win and heading to Carolina with a 3-1 lead, a mountain most teams never climb. For the Hurricanes, they have to steal one on the road or watch their Stanley Cup hopes drift away. Here’s a look at the strengths and weaknesses heading into the game.
In Vegas, they scare themselves and still get away with it 
Game 3 of the NHL Final had all the ingredients of a trap game: two disallowed goals after a scoreless first period at both ends, then a spark, then two, then three from Mitch Marner, who produced the fastest Stanley Cup Final hat-trick on record. All that just to extend the lead handed to them by a Thomas Hertl goal. In six minutes, Vegas were 4-0 up. Carolina were sinking fast, and not in a way they’ve often looked this year.
At that point, you figured the game was over. But when Mitch Marner missed a penalty early in the third period, the wheels came off. Four goals conceded, three of them in 39 seconds. In the blink of an eye, the ghost was back. Vegas’ real strength has been that mental switch since the start of the playoffs, plus the impact of new coach John Tortorella.
That’s exactly what Marner likes, too, with 28 points since the start of the NHL playoffs. Vegas have done real damage by attacking Carolina where it usually hurts most, through pressure and physical play. They have also punished the Canes for costly turnovers and found the gaps. Can Eichel’s teammates do it again?
The Hurricanes need a lifeline 
Heading home down 3-1 would feel like an ultimatum the Canes hate. They like control. They like owning a game from start to finish. One loss, and Brind’Amour’s original plan would be in ashes. The issue is Carolina have lost their nerve. Andersen has cracked under the pressure. That was always a question mark coming into these NHL playoffs.
Bussi filled in well enough — and yes, he’s a rookie keeper — but the real question now is what they do in net. A lot hinged on that spot. Even so, you rarely see the Canes unravel so badly at their own game when the heat is on. One thing worth noting: when Vegas had that tiny 39-second wobble, Aho’s team scored three times and dragged themselves back into the contest. They are also getting fewer shots off, and that’ll have to change if they’re to give themselves any chance.
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NHL Prediction Golden Knights vs Hurricanes
The hero of Game 3 is back in top form for this final. Five points in three games, and he’s wearing it well. Vegas’ top line is producing, and there isn’t much reason to think Carolina’s tweaks will stop the Golden Knights’ blue line from getting on the scoresheet in this one. While Carolina try to cool Vegas down, the home side will throw everything at taking a decisive edge in this NHL Final. The stars will have to do the heavy lifting.
MhouTips’ pick
Same here!
Since the start of the playoffs, the numbers tell the story for Shea Theodore, who has 16 points in 19 playoff games (39 points in 70 regular-season games).
His price around 2.00, at home and in a final that has been fairly open through the first three games, looks like very good value to me.
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