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Vegas Golden Knights: Three Stanley Cup Final Predictions

By Richard Cardinale

LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 23: Matt Niskanen #2 of the Washington Capitals defends Nate Schmidt #88 of the Vegas Golden Knights during the game at T-Mobile Arena on December 23, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 23: Matt Niskanen #2 of the Washington Capitals defends Nate Schmidt #88 of the Vegas Golden Knights during the game at T-Mobile Arena on December 23, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The Vegas Golden Knights VS Washington Capitals will be a Stanley Cup Final to remember.

Here we are, we’re down to the final two teams left standing in the NHL. The Vegas Golden Knights and Washington Capitals will duke it out for hockey’s holy grail, Lord Stanley’s Cup. Both teams took very different routes to make it to this point today.

Washington had to overcome years of heartbreak after losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers on multiple occasions. Years of constantly always trying to improve the team at the trade deadline went to waste. However, the front office stood by this club and decided not to make any moves, and it turned out to be the greatest thing that ever happened to the team. The Capitals overcame a 0-2 deficit to beat the Columbus Blue Jackets in six games, exercised the demons against Pittsburgh and wiped out the Eastern Conferences best team in the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Meanwhile, Vegas had to adapt to the NHL lifestyle as a team that never came together before. They came in first in the Pacific division and rolled off victories against the rival Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks. Additionally, the expansion franchise took out the offensive juggernaut Winnipeg Jets in five games to claim the Western Conference prize. Here are three predictions ahead of the Stanley Cup Final:

3) James Neal will have a big series against the Capitals

LAS VEGAS, NV – MAY 16: James Neal #18 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrates after scoring a goal against the Winnipeg Jets in the second period of Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on May 16, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights won 4-2. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – MAY 16: James Neal #18 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrates after scoring a goal against the Winnipeg Jets in the second period of Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on May 16, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights won 4-2. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

An expiring contract that has a chance to create a significant impact in this series and win a Stanley Cup? That sure seems like a pretty good formula to me. James Neal is a player that’s ready to break out at the right time.

Neal played a ton against these Capitals for much of his time when he was a Pittsburgh Penguin. Sure, he knows that team has changed since he moved to Nashville and now Las Vegas. However, in 20 career games played against Washington, he has scored ten goals, five assists, and 15 points.

Not a bad success rate for the Whitby, Ontario native. The 30-year old has shown signs of starting to come alive in the postseason. He scored a big response goal in game three of the Western Conference Finals against the Jets.

The team needs more consistent production from the second line, and the leader of that trio is Neal. Alex Tuch and Erik Haula have done a great job with Neal thus far in the postseason, but they all need to step up their game if they want to win the Stanley Cup. And with Neal in his contract year, he could cash in on free agency if he has a big Final.

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