NHL Playoffs 2018: Latest Stanley Cup Scores, Standings and Predictions

Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets delivered statements over the first three days of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs conference final round. 

The Capitals are in possession of a 2-0 series lead over the Tampa Bay Lightning following a pair of road wins, while the Jets overcame the hangover of winning a Game 7 to take the opening contest of their series against Vegas Golden Knights. 

Although there's still plenty of games left to be played in the round, the Capitals and Jets appear to be in the best situations to advance to the Stanley Cup final.

That statement could become even truer Monday if the Jets take care of business at home in Game 2 against the Golden Knights. 

Latest Stanley Cup Scores

Western Conference

Game 1: Winnipeg 4, Vegas 2 (Winnipeg leads series 1-0) 

Eastern Conference

Game 2: Washington 6, Tampa Bay 2 (Washington leads series 2-0) 

Predictions

Scheifele Continues Rampant Scoring Pace 

Winnipeg's Mark Scheifele entered the postseason with a single playoff point to his name from 2015. 

In 13 games in 2018, the 25-year-old center has a league-leading 12 postseason goals and six assists, including one of each in Game 1. Scheifele scored the 12 tallies on 31 shots, and four of them came on the power play. 

Thanks to his incredible form in front of the net, Scheifele is three goals shy of the most playoff goals scored since the turn of the century, per Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman: 

Although Scheifele deserves plenty of credit for finishing his scoring opportunities, he praised right-winger Blake Wheeler, who has 15 postseason assists, for getting the team going offensively, per Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun. 

"(Wheeler) drives this bus. We all follow him," Scheifele said. 

Containing Scheifele isn't going to be easy for the Golden Knights, as the Jets possess quite a few impressive talents in their attack. 

Jason Halstead/Getty Images

In addition to Scheifele and Wheeler, 19-year-old right winger Patrik Laine is capable of making a few game-changing plays, as is center Paul Stastny, who thrived in the Game 7 win over Nashville in the second round. 

You also can't count out the production of defenseman Dustin Byfuglien, who contributed a tally in Game 1. The 33-year-old, who won a Stanley Cup in 2010 with Chicago, has been key to Winnipeg's success, and he demands attention because of the scoring threat he carries. 

With the Golden Knights unable to keep every defensive eye on Scheifele, he should be able to add to his postseason goal tally in each game of the series. 

The key for Vegas is to not let everyone else beat it, which happened in Game 1 and could occur again in Monday's Game 2. 

Washington Jumps Out To 3-0 Lead

It's hard to pick against the Capitals at this juncture of the Eastern Conference final. 

Washington followed its Game 1 triumph with a 6-2 blowout of the Lightning at Amalie Arena, which sets the stage for Barry Trotz's team to potentially clinch a sweep on home ice in Game 4. 

Mike Carlson/Getty Images

But before Washington gets to that scenario, it must take care of business in Game 3, where a victory could silence the Lightning for good. 

After entering the first intermission of Game 2 down a goal, the Capitals reeled off five straight goals from a quintet of players to chase Lightning fans from their seats well before the conclusion of the contest. 

Each of the six Game 2 scorers for the Capitals has at least three postseason tallies, with Alexander Ovechkin leading the team with 10 goals. 

With his third-period goal, Ovechkin became the first player in Capitals franchise history to score over 10 goals in multiple postseasons, per ESPN Stats & Info: 

In addition to Ovechkin continuing to roll in front of the net, Lars Eller produced a strong game once again in place of the injured Nicklas Backstrom. 

Eller found the back of the net for the second consecutive game Sunday, and just like the rest of his teammates, he is showing no sign of slowing down. 

From the Lightning's perspective, Game 3 is a must-win contest, but the result might not go in their favor given the dominance asserted by the Capitals. 

Don't expect to see a sweep, as the Lightning will eventually put 60 minutes of consistent hockey together, but that might not come until Game 4, as the Capitals continue to roll in front of their home crowd. 

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.

Statistics obtained from Hockey Reference.