5 burning questions heading into the Stanley Cup Final

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 04: T.J. Oshie #77 of the Washington Capitals and David Perron #57 of the Vegas Golden Knights battle for the puck in the first period at Capital One Arena on February 4, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /

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WINNIPEG, MB – MAY 20: William Karlsson #71 and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare #41 of the Vegas Golden Knights high five as they leave the ice following a 2-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets in Game Five of the Western Conference Final during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on May 20, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Knights win the series 4-1. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) /

1. Who raises the Cup?

The all-important question heading in to the final round: Who finds a way and raises the Cup? Let’s look at the teams one last time first. Washington’s offense is outstanding, boasting the top two scorers this postseason — a juggernaut at the top. Vegas is solid top to bottom and getting production at every level.

Fleury is playing potentially better than he ever has. Holtby had his ups and downs, but hasn’t let Barry Trotz down once back in net.

The Knights come in hoping to cap off the most unbelievable run in Stanley Cup history. The Capitals are looking to finally fully overcome history and raise a Cup for the first time in franchise history in just their second trip in 20 years.

This is the most fun head to head matchup we’ve had in awhile. We had the Nashville Predators sweep the Blackhawks en route to their first Cup Final berth last year, before falling to the Penguins ,who won their second consecutive title.

After two straight parades in Pittsburgh, it’s always refreshing to see something different — but this year, that’s especially true. For one, it’s a matchup historically we couldn’t have seen prior to this year but to have an expansion team on the roll they’re on in this moment… and they get to face Ovechkin who’s in his first Stanley Cup Final? I’m. All. In.

Top to bottom, Vegas is doing everything necessary. Going into the Western Conference Final, talk circulated around the Winnipeg offense and how could Vegas stop them? After a loss in the opener, they did and went on to win four straight. You can’t count out that kind of effort and feel this team has.

Next: 10 reasons Stanley Cup Playoffs are better than NBA Playoffs

Overall, we’re in for one heck of a series, but I can’t shy from going with the Golden Knights here. Vegas in 6.

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