The Colorado Avalanche have jumped out to a 2-0 series lead against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Lightning must be concerned after losing game 2 in a blowout (7-0), but you can never rule this team out. We expect them to come out of the gates much stronger in game 3 at home.
Colorado have the chance to jump out to a 3-0 series lead in the Stanley Cup Finals. The only team to win the Cup after going down 3-0 were the Maple Leafs way back in 1942.
Read our Avalanche vs. Lightning game 3 preview.
Cash in with these NHL Stanley Cup player props picks for game 3.
Nathan MacKinnon Anytime Scorer (+130)
MacKinnon was 2nd on the Avalanche in goals (32) during the regular season. He leads the team during the playoffs in scoring (11 goals), but he has been held scoreless in the two games this series.
We expect that to change tonight. MacKinnon will find the back of the net at +130 odds.
Steven Stamkos Anytime Scorer (+150)
Stamkos scored 42 goals during the regular season to lead the Lightning and he’s tied for the lead in goals during the playoffs (9), but he has also been held scoreless in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Tampa Bay need their superstars to step up in game 3 to keep this series manageable. After losing in a blowout, we expect the big guns on Tampa Bay to come out firing. Bet on Stamkos to score a goal.
Victor Hedman Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-140)
Tampa Bay need to put more shots on goal tonight. They only had 23 shots on goal in the series opener and 16 shots in game 2. A key to game 3 will be to put more shots on Darcy Kuemper to test him.
Hedman had 2 shots in game 1 and 3 shots in game 2. He’ll be looking to put pucks on the net from the blueline tonight and we have him cashing in on over 2.5 shots on goal.
Darcy Kuemper Under 27.5 Saves (-110)
We don’t see how Kuemper will have 28+ saves tonight. Even if the Lightning get more pucks on the net and hit 30 shots, Kuemper will likely allow a few goals to ensure this bet cashes.
The Lightning have also struggled getting pucks on the net. Kuemper may not even have the chance to make 28 saves tonight. The bookies got this line wrong and we recommend jumping on it.
Ryan McDonagh Over 2.5 Blocked Shots (-170)
There’s quite a bit of juice for this bet, but we still feel great about this player prop pick.
McDonagh is a shot blocking machine and he has the highest posted total in this market tonight. He has cashed this wager in the first two games, blocking four shots in game 1 and three shots in game 2.
The Avalanche have been shooting the puck a lot and there will be plenty of blocked shot opportunities.
