Here are tonight’s NHL predictions and best bets for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights.

Hurricanes (-115) vs. Golden Knights (-105) – Total 5.5 (Over, -135)

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Golden Knights lead series 2-1

8 p.m. ET

We are less than 24 hours away from Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final and the first three games of the series have delivered beyond expectations in what many are saying is one of the best Stanley Cup Final in the history of the game. It is by far the best reality series on television today. The Knights’ Mitch Marner scored the fastest three goals in Stanley Cup history as he sparked Vegas to a 4-0 second period lead with three second period goals. Marner had a chance to make it 5-0 but was stopped on a penalty shot by Brandon Bussi who took over from Freddie Andersen to start the period. The wild part of that play was that Marner did not realize that Bussi had taken over from Freddie to start the period. The Hurricanes exploded for three goals in 39 seconds to close the gap to 4-3 and then tied the game with their goalie pulled in the final two minutes. The first overtime settled nothing and then Shea Theodore’s shot off the end boards in the second overtime caromed off the skate of Brandon Bussi into the back of the net and the Golden Knights grabbed the 2-1 series lead.

The big question heading into Game 4 is who starts in goal for the Hurricanes. If it was me, I would go to Brandon Bussi. Bussi looked cool, calm and collected in making his first start and appearance since April 14. Andersen has now given up three goals or more in nine consecutive starts against Vegas and I would be shocked that the Canes, who rely heavily on analytics, aren’t aware of that number. The simple math tells Rod Brind’Amour and the Hurricanes players that they are likely going to need at least four goals to win. It’s not like Carter Hart has stood on his head for Vegas, but he has made timely saves in this series and none bigger than the save he made on Jordan Martinook in overtime. While I do like Vegas to win Game 4, I am going to stick with a parlay that has cashed in all three games of the series and there are two different ways to play it and both have the same payout. In each of the three games, both teams have scored two goals, the games have all been decided by one goal and all have gone Over the posted full game total (5.5 or 6). 

A couple of player props on my card. Carolina’s Jordan Martinook and the Knights’ William Karlsson each have had at least two shots on goal in four straight and eight of their last 11 games. Carolina defenseman Jalen Chatfield has had two blocked shots or more in each of the last eight games and nine of the last 10 games. There is value on Carolina captain Jordan Staal both to score a goal tonight and to win the Conn Smythe. Staal has a goal in all three games of the Stanley Cup Final.

Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights Game 4 Best Bets

Canes +2.5/Vegas +2.5/Over 4.5 (+103) – 3 units

Karlsson/Martinook each 2+ shots on goal (+194) – 1 unit

Jalen Chatfield 2+ blocked shots (-130) – 2 units

Jordan Staal anytime goal (+460) – .10 units

Jordan Staal Conn Smythe Trophy 100/1 – .10 units

Howden, Karlsson, Marner, Staal all 2+ shots/Chatfield and Lauzon 2+ blks each 19/1 – .10

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