Follow @james_tanner123 The Capitals are winning the series, but which team is playing better?
With one more day off before game five, I thought it would be interesting to check out some series stats so far.
The most glaring statistic is that the Golden Knights have a 55% to 45% edge in possession. Despite being down 3-1, I don't think too many people would argue that they've been the better team overall.
The Capitals are a more passive team, content to trap and take advantage when they can. They've used the back-door play to great advantage, but haven't been able to mount much of a consistent attack, other than the odd period here and there.
The goalies, both of whom were the main reasons their teams even made it here, have been disappointing. Fleury more than Holtby, but neither has been as good as previously. Can't say that's surprising though because when you play at a level for so long that is far beyond what even good goalies can do, you eventually fall back to earth.
Holtby, while not terrible, has still allowed 11 on 125 shots. Still, it's been good enough to beat the other guy whose save percentage is in the .8's.
Those stats are for all minutes.
For Vegas, it's unfortunate that they aren't getting a little more luck, or some better goaltending, because they're doing a very good job of defending against the Capitals best players.
Kuznetsov has been held to a 43% possession rating, while Ovechkin is at 40%, Wilson is 39% Backstrom 45% and Oshie 46%.
However, when a team scores on almost 16% of their shots as a team, they aren't going to lose very often, and their players are going to appear to playing much better than they are.
This has been the Caps M.O all season long, however. Get outshot, outchanced, outplayed and hope that Holby and Ovechkin bail them out with some timely plays.
With only one win to go, the Capitals should have this locked up, but I wouldn't be surprised if Vegas came back because they've been the better team and don't deserve to be down 3-1.
It's easy to forget that if not for some complete flukes in the first few minutes of Monday's game, they would have been up 3-0 in the first period of game four and the series would now be tied.
Still, the odds are incredibly in the Caps favor- but lets not pretend they're playing well just because they have the lead.
This thing could go either way.