Stanley Cup Final player props: Ride the Rantanen hot hand

Nick Alberga @thegoldenmuzzyJune 24, 2022 - 1:06pm

Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) reaches for the puck as Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh (27) defends during the third period of Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (John Bazemore/AP)

Lord Stanley will be in the building.

With a win tonight on home ice in Game 5, the Colorado Avalanche can win their third Stanley Cup in franchise history and first since 2001.

Back on Wednesday night in Tampa, the Avalanche took a commanding 3-1 series lead with a 3-2 overtime victory thanks to Nazem Kadri. For what it’s worth, Colorado is 7-2 at Ball Arena this postseason.

With all that in mind, here are some prop bets to consider placing:

PROP #1: Nathan MacKinnon Anytime Goal (+180) + Over 4.5 SOG (-160)

Through four games in the series, MacKinnon has one goal on 22 shots. Yes, that’s a shooting percentage of 4.5 percent. With his first career Stanley Cup firmly in reach and the monkey finally off his back, you can bet the 29-year-old will be buzzing once again tonight. Furthermore, MacKinnon has cleared the 4.5 shots on goal number in six of seven. He had eight in Game 4.

PROP #2: Nikita Kucherov Over 0.5 Assists (-125)

Rest assured, the Lightning will not go down without a fight. By his standards, Kucherov’s had a very quiet series to-date tallying just three measly assists. That said, the 29-year-old has registered 19 helpers in 21 total playoff games, there’s a reason why he was involved in the Conn Smythe conversation entering the series.

PROP #3: Mikko Rantanen Over 0.5 Assists (-130)

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. And that’s pretty much the logic behind going back to the Rantanen assist prop for the fifth straight game. Quietly, the 25-year-old’s riding an eight-game point streak where he’s amassed four goals and 10 assists. Rantanen has eight helpers in the series and is up to 20 in 18 in these playoffs. Additionally, the forward has picked up at least a point in 13 of his past 14 outings. Ride the hot hand!

PROP #4: Victor Hedman Over 2.5 SOG (-150)

Since Game 1, Hedman’s been back to his volume shooting ways. In fact, the 31-year-old ripped off seven shots on goal in Game 4 and is up to 13 over his past three outings clearing the 2.5 number in all three. With Tampa’s season on the line, it’s fair to expect more of the same tonight.

Betting odds listed above via the Bet365 Sportsbook as of Friday afternoon.

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