Stanley Cup Playoffs player props: MacKinnon's money shot a problem for Blues

And then there were eight.

After a one-day hiatus, the Stanley Cup Playoffs are back in full force tonight with a two-game card to kick off Round 2.

In Sunrise, the Battle of Florida will get underway as the Panthers host the Lightning. Of course, Tampa is coming off a seven-game triumph against Toronto. Meanwhile, Florida disposed of Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals in six. Elsewhere, following its first-round sweep of Nashville, Colorado is back in action after an eight-day break. They’re home to St. Louis, who are coming off a hard-fought six-game series with Minnesota.

Now that you’re up to speed, here are some prop bets to consider:

PROP #1: Nathan MacKinnon Anytime Goal (+110) + Over 4.5 SOG (-140)

Simply put, the Predators had no answer for MacKinnon —but few teams do. As per usual, the 26-year-old threw everything but the kitchen sink at Nashville. In fact, MacKinnon registered 44 shot attempts and 29 shots on goal in four games. He finished the series with five goals. Good luck to the St. Louis Blues organization, they officially have a Nathan MacKinnon problem.

PROP #2: Ryan O’Reilly Over 0.5 Points (-130)

Once upon a time ago, O’Reilly was a member of the Colorado Avalanche, so don’t overlook the revenge narrative in this series. Furthermore, the Blues captain comes into this matchup on an absolute heater. He had five goals and eight points against the Wild. In two regular season meetings with Colorado, the 31-year-old had three goals and one assist.

PROP #3: Carter Verhaeghe Over 0.5 Points (-140)

Save for Connor McDavid, Verhaeghe’s probably the hottest player in the NHL heading into Round 2. In six games against Washington, the former Bolt tallied six goals and six assists for 12 points. He has five goals and nine points over his past three games. Moral of the story: Ride the hot hand.

PROP #4: Anthony Cirelli Over 0.5 Assists (+175)

Someone needs to step up in the absence of Brayden Point and that player is unequivocally Anthony Cirelli. Assuming Tampa rolls out the same lines they had to finish Game 7 against Toronto, the 24-year-old could find himself on a power line once again centered around Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov. Cirelli was quiet in Round 1 notching just one point, but needs to be a difference maker in Round 2 if the Lightning have any chance of advancing to a third consecutive Conference Final. Playing a hunch here.

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