from Helene Elliott of the LA Times,

In their short time in the NHL, the Vegas Golden Knights have built a reputation as a speedy, hard-working, relentless-forechecking team that’s better than the sum of the good-but-not-great parts they assembled in the expansion draft last June. In their four-plus decades in the NHL, the Washington Capitals have built a reputation as underachievers whose cast changed from season to season but still fell victim to mental fragility that led to meek and early playoff exits, especially the past few seasons.

The Golden Knights, limited to three goals and pressured into defensive mistakes in losing the second and third games of the Stanley Cup Final, must get back to their old identity to keep their dream season going. The Capitals, who have taken a deserved 2-1 series lead on the backs of their superstars and their depth players, hope to take a significant step toward shedding their old identity as losers when the Final resumes Monday night at Capital One Arena.

Both teams know they’ve reached a defining moment.

continued