Stanley Cup Playoff Player Props: Can Avalanche send Blues on vacation?

Nick Alberga @thegoldenmuzzyMay 25, 2022 - 12:48pm

Colorado Avalanche's Nazem Kadri celebrates after scoring during the third period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series against the St. Louis Blues Monday, May 23, 2022, in St. Louis. (Jeff Roberson/AP)

Thanks to Tampa’s utter dismantling of the Florida Panthers, there’s only one game in the Stanley Cup Playoffs tonight.

And it’s another potential elimination game as Colorado and St. Louis square off in Denver for Game 5.

With a win, the Avalanche can eliminate the Blues for the second straight season and advance to the Conference Finals for the first time in 20 years.

Here are some prop bets to consider:

PROP #1: Nazem Kadri Over 0.5 Assists (+100)

Through four games, the Blues have had no answer for Nazem Kadri. The 31-year-old pending UFA is coming off a hat trick in Game 4 and is up to four goals and seven points in the series. Even though Kadri’s been shot happy recently, he’s still a playmaker by nature.

With that in mind, I’ll take my chances at plus-money with a player who tallied 59 assists in the regular season and plays on a potent power play full of shooters. Sign me up.

PROP #2: Ryan O’Reilly Over 0.5 Points (-140)

Despite being held off the scoresheet in Game 4, O’Reilly has still notched at least a point in eight of St. Louis’ 10 playoff games thus far. Additionally, he’s been skating regularly with the red-hot David Perron, who’s potted four goals in the series and 13 in his past 19 postseason outings. It goes without saying but I like the Perron anytime goal value too (+200).

PROP #3: Nathan MacKinnon Over 4.5 SOG (-125)

There’s no way the MacKinnon shot prop misses again, is there? After clearing the 4.5 number with relative ease over his first five postseason outings, the 26-year-old has nine shots on goal over the past three games. Bearing in mind what’s at stake – his first ever appearance in the Conference Finals – it’s fair to expect a hungry and motivated MacKinnon tonight.

Also, I would look at the MacKinnon anytime goal (+115) as well.

PROP #4: St. Louis to score first (+130)

Considering the Blues have scored first in all four games of the series thus far, it’s not a bad bet to suggest they’ll do it again. Although the odds tell us Colorado is due, the juice is worth the squeeze here, especially at plus-money. Take the plunge.

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

COMMENTS

When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.