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We put together another 1-2 card Wednesday night, which feels very disappointing given how the games played out.

The Canucks scored five goals but Quinn Hughes - their assists leader - didn't pick one up despite logging more than 25 minutes of ice. Matthew Tkachuk also put forth a shotless performance in a dominant performance by the Panthers in which they recorded 18 more shots than the Bruins. Go figure.

Thankfully, Evan Bouchard came through with an assist to help us avoid a reverse sweep.

Let's dive into my favorite plays for Thursday's card as we look to rebound.

Seth Jarvis: Over 0.5 points

Jarvis has hit another gear offensively of late, picking up 13 points over his last 10 games.

He's been unstoppable on home ice thus far, recording six playoff points through just three contests in Carolina.

Of course, the Rangers are a different beast than the Islanders, but I like Jarvis' chances of staying hot in Game 3.

Through two outings, the Hurricanes generated 3.5 expected goals and 28 scoring chances with Jarvis on the ice. That's only amounted to one Hurricanes goal, which the young forward got in on.

With a big dose of five-on-five ice time - not to mention a juicy role on the top power-play unit - Jarvis is put in the best positions to create offense.

Perhaps with the help of an empty net, I think the Hurricanes score three-plus goals en route to a Game 3 win. If that's the case, I like Jarvis' chances of getting involved.

Odds: -140 (playable to -150)

Igor Shesterkin: Over 29.5 saves

Shesterkin has insane home/road splits. He's gone over this total just 19% of the time at Madison Square Garden, a stark contrast from his 45% away hit rate.

Over his last 10 road dates, Shesterkin's averaged 31 saves, which includes a pair of contests against a lifeless Capitals squad.

The Hurricanes are a different story. They just put up a 42-shot regulation performance against the Rangers.

Their Game 1 numbers were much lower, but it wasn't for a lack of trying. They attempted 72 shots but couldn't find a way to get them to the net.

The Canes are back home now and will control the matchups, which is a plus. They're also completely desperate. Down 0-2, this contest is essentially do-or-die for the Hurricanes. I expect them to put their best foot forward and throw everything but the kitchen sink at Shesterkin.

I wouldn't be surprised if he puts up 35-plus saves in regulation alone.

Odds: -125 (playable to -145)

Wyatt Johnston: Over 0.5 points

Johnston had a great regular season and has taken things up a notch in the playoffs. He leads all Stars forwards in five-on-five ice time and he's taking full advantage of it.

He's produced eight points through as many games and has been the Stars' biggest offensive threat by a country mile. Johnston has 15 more shot attempts and 18 more scoring chances than his next closest teammates.

The expected goals numbers might be even crazier: Johnston has piled up 5.7 expected goals, and Tyler Seguin slots below him with 2.56. That's an insane gap.

With five points through five home contests, Johnston is poised to make an impact in a crucial Game 2 versus the Avalanche.

Odds: -145 (playable to -155)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X at @ToddCordell.

Copyright © 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

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Jake Guentzel picked up a sweat-free victory for us with his shot prop Tuesday, but things didn't work out with Seth Jarvis or Nathan MacKinnon.

Jarvis was on the ice for 21 of the Hurricanes' shots and more than two expected goals, but none ended up beating Igor Shesterkin. MacKinnon failed to get the job done in the nightcap, missing the net five times and coming up one shot short of his total versus the Stars.

I liked the process - the results simply didn't follow. We'll look to change that with three more plays for Wednesday's NHL card.

Matthew Tkachuk: Over 3.5 shots

The Bruins always seem to bring out the best in Tkachuk when it comes to shooting the puck. He's recorded four or more shots in eight of the past nine home games against Boston, including this year's series opener.

Tkachuk had five shots on eight attempts in a Game 1 defeat while leading all Panthers forwards in ice time.

One important factor in backing Tkachuk: he's skating on the top line with Aleksander Barkov.

Since last season, Tkachuk's averaged 10.4 shots and 19.5 attempts per 60 minutes of five-on-five play with Barkov.

Those numbers are noticeably higher than the 8.5 shots and 16.1 attempts per 60 he's managed with Sam Bennett as his center.

With Tkachuk skating on the top line at even strength and serving as a focal point on the power play - and with the Panthers in desperate need of a win (they can't hit the road down two) - I expect Tkachuk to shoot early and often in this one.

Odds: -140 (playable to -150)

Quinn Hughes: Over 0.5 assists

The screws generally tighten in the playoffs, but I have a hard time believing the Canucks can neutralize this lethal Oilers offense - especially without star goaltender Thatcher Demko.

They'll need to score to keep up, and captain Hughes will have to be one of the primary facilitators. That wasn't a problem in the regular season, as he piled up seven assists and eight points over four head-to-head showings.

Since 2022, Hughes has 11 assists over eight meetings against his Pacific Division rivals.

The Oilers aren't bulletproof defensively - a mediocre Kings offense averaged three goals per game in the opening round - so there should be some goals on the table for the Canucks. Look for Hughes to get involved in the fun.

Odds: -120 (playable to -135)

Evan Bouchard: Over 0.5 assists

The Oilers were an unstoppable force offensively for all but a month during the regular season. They picked up where they left off in the playoffs, netting 22 goals over a five-game series against L.A.

The Canucks did a great job of overcoming the Demko injury in the opening round, but the Predators don't hold a candle to the Oilers in terms of high-end talent. A 1-2 center punch of Ryan O'Reilly and Tommy Novak doesn't quite match Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

I think the favored Oilers are going to cause a world of problems for the Canucks and bring the Demko injury to light.

Given that Bouchard routinely plays 24-plus minutes - a lot of which come behind either McDavid or Draisaitl - he should have ample opportunity to make his mark offensively.

Odds: -130 (playable to -145)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X at @ToddCordell.

Copyright © 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find year-round coverage of betting news and insights for all sports by visiting our Betting section and subscribing to push notifications.

Jake Guentzel picked up a sweat-free victory for us with his shot prop Tuesday, but things didn't work out with Seth Jarvis or Nathan MacKinnon.

Jarvis was on the ice for 21 of the Hurricanes' shots and more than two expected goals, but none ended up beating Igor Shesterkin. MacKinnon failed to get the job done in the nightcap, missing the net five times and coming up one shot short of his total versus the Stars.

I liked the process - the results simply didn't follow. We'll look to change that with three more plays for Wednesday's NHL card.

Matthew Tkachuk: Over 3.5 shots

The Bruins always seem to bring out the best in Tkachuk when it comes to shooting the puck. He's recorded four or more shots in eight of the past nine home games against Boston, including this year's series opener.

Tkachuk had five shots on eight attempts in a Game 1 defeat while leading all Panthers forwards in ice time.

One important factor in backing Tkachuk: he's skating on the top line with Aleksander Barkov.

Since last season, Tkachuk's averaged 10.4 shots and 19.5 attempts per 60 minutes of five-on-five play with Barkov.

Those numbers are noticeably higher than the 8.5 shots and 16.1 attempts per 60 he's managed with Sam Bennett as his center.

With Tkachuk skating on the top line at even strength and serving as a focal point on the power play - and with the Panthers in desperate need of a win (they can't hit the road down two) - I expect Tkachuk to shoot early and often in this one.

Odds: -140 (playable to -150)

Quinn Hughes: Over 0.5 assists

The screws generally tighten in the playoffs, but I have a hard time believing the Canucks can neutralize this lethal Oilers offense - especially without star goaltender Thatcher Demko.

They'll need to score to keep up, and captain Hughes will have to be one of the primary facilitators. That wasn't a problem in the regular season, as he piled up seven assists and eight points over four head-to-head showings.

Since 2022, Hughes has 11 assists over eight meetings against his Pacific Division rivals.

The Oilers aren't bulletproof defensively - a mediocre Kings offense averaged three goals per game in the opening round - so there should be some goals on the table for the Canucks. Look for Hughes to get involved in the fun.

Odds: -120 (playable to -135)

Evan Bouchard: Over 0.5 assists

The Oilers were an unstoppable force offensively for all but a month during the regular season. They picked up where they left off in the playoffs, netting 22 goals over a five-game series against L.A.

The Canucks did a great job of overcoming the Demko injury in the opening round, but the Predators don't hold a candle to the Oilers in terms of high-end talent. A 1-2 center punch of Ryan O'Reilly and Tommy Novak doesn't quite match Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

I think the favored Oilers are going to cause a world of problems for the Canucks and bring the Demko injury to light.

Given that Bouchard routinely plays 24-plus minutes - a lot of which come behind either McDavid or Draisaitl - he should have ample opportunity to make his mark offensively.

Odds: -130 (playable to -145)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X at @ToddCordell.

Copyright © 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find year-round coverage of betting news and insights for all sports by visiting our Betting section and subscribing to push notifications.

Jake Guentzel picked up a sweat-free victory for us with his shot prop Tuesday, but things didn't work out with Seth Jarvis or Nathan MacKinnon.

Jarvis was on the ice for 21 of the Hurricanes' shots and more than two expected goals, but none ended up beating Igor Shesterkin. MacKinnon failed to get the job done in the nightcap, missing the net five times and coming up one shot short of his total versus the Stars.

I liked the process - the results simply didn't follow. We'll look to change that with three more plays for Wednesday's NHL card.

Matthew Tkachuk: Over 3.5 shots

The Bruins always seem to bring out the best in Tkachuk when it comes to shooting the puck. He's recorded four or more shots in eight of the past nine home games against Boston, including this year's series opener.

Tkachuk had five shots on eight attempts in a Game 1 defeat while leading all Panthers forwards in ice time.

One important factor in backing Tkachuk: he's skating on the top line with Aleksander Barkov.

Since last season, Tkachuk's averaged 10.4 shots and 19.5 attempts per 60 minutes of five-on-five play with Barkov.

Those numbers are noticeably higher than the 8.5 shots and 16.1 attempts per 60 he's managed with Sam Bennett as his center.

With Tkachuk skating on the top line at even strength and serving as a focal point on the power play - and with the Panthers in desperate need of a win (they can't hit the road down two) - I expect Tkachuk to shoot early and often in this one.

Odds: -140 (playable to -150)

Quinn Hughes: Over 0.5 assists

The screws generally tighten in the playoffs, but I have a hard time believing the Canucks can neutralize this lethal Oilers offense - especially without star goaltender Thatcher Demko.

They'll need to score to keep up, and captain Hughes will have to be one of the primary facilitators. That wasn't a problem in the regular season, as he piled up seven assists and eight points over four head-to-head showings.

Since 2022, Hughes has 11 assists over eight meetings against his Pacific Division rivals.

The Oilers aren't bulletproof defensively - a mediocre Kings offense averaged three goals per game in the opening round - so there should be some goals on the table for the Canucks. Look for Hughes to get involved in the fun.

Odds: -120 (playable to -135)

Evan Bouchard: Over 0.5 assists

The Oilers were an unstoppable force offensively for all but a month during the regular season. They picked up where they left off in the playoffs, netting 22 goals over a five-game series against L.A.

The Canucks did a great job of overcoming the Demko injury in the opening round, but the Predators don't hold a candle to the Oilers in terms of high-end talent. A 1-2 center punch of Ryan O'Reilly and Tommy Novak doesn't quite match Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

I think the favored Oilers are going to cause a world of problems for the Canucks and bring the Demko injury to light.

Given that Bouchard routinely plays 24-plus minutes - a lot of which come behind either McDavid or Draisaitl - he should have ample opportunity to make his mark offensively.

Odds: -130 (playable to -145)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X at @ToddCordell.

Copyright © 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find year-round coverage of betting news and insights for all sports by visiting our Betting section and subscribing to push notifications.

We have a pair of playoff games on the schedule Tuesday night. Here are a few of the best ways to attack them.

Jake Guentzel: Over 2.5 shots

Death, taxes, and Guentzel shot props against the Rangers. He's killed New York for years, piling up three shots or more in 13 of the past 14 head-to-head meetings. That's an absurd 93% clip.

Guentzel posted strong volume in Game 1 of the series. He recorded five shots on goal while leading all players with six scoring chances and nine shot attempts. The volume was strong, and a lot of it came from dangerous areas of the ice, making it easier for Guentzel to hit the target.

The Hurricanes acquired Guentzel for the playoffs, and they've routinely given him 20-plus minutes in close games when they need to score. I expect this to be a tightly contested affair - the Rangers always seem to give the Hurricanes trouble - and Guentzel to get a heavy dose of ice time as a result.

Look for Guentzel, who has a 60% hit rate this season, to put forth another active shooting performance.

Odds: -140 (playable to -160)

Seth Jarvis: Over 0.5 points

Jarvis is scorching hot, recording 13 points over his past 10 games dating back to the regular season, including eight in six playoff contests.

He's skating on the second line opposite Teuvo Teravainen, who he performed well with in the regular season. Jarvis averaged 2.42 points per 60 minutes of five-on-five play when skating on Teravainen's line. That's efficient production.

Jarvis is a real threat to make noise offensively at even strength. He's also skating on the top power-play unit, giving him exposure to Guentzel, Sebastian Aho, and the other most dangerous Hurricanes.

Carolina really needs this game and will no doubt lean heavily on Jarvis to secure a win. Look for him to find the scoresheet.

Odds: -125 (playable to -140)

Nathan MacKinnon: Over 4.5 shots

MacKinnon's been a force against the Stars. He's registered at least five shots in eight of the last nine meetings, routinely clearing his total with room to spare. He averaged 6.77 shots on more than 10 attempts per game in that span - top-tier production.

Although this version of the Stars is the best we've seen, MacKinnon is someone who can make noise in any matchup.

And he's been sitting on the sidelines for a week following a five-game series win over the Jets, giving him plenty of time to rest his bumps and bruises and recharge.

I expect MacKinnon to come out with purpose, looking to set the tone in a marquee matchup between two of the league's best teams. MacKinnon will have no problem handling the 22-plus minutes head coach Jared Bednar will likely throw his way and should pile up shots as a result.

Odds: -118 (playable to -135)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X at @ToddCordell.

Copyright © 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

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The puck drops Monday in Game 1 between the Bruins and Panthers. Let's take a closer look at the best ways to attack the opener.

Aleksander Barkov: Over 2.5 shots

Barkov has a nice shooting history against the Bruins when playing in Florida. He's gone over his total in five of the past seven home games vs. Boston, averaging 3.4 shots per contest on upwards of seven attempts, which is very steady volume.

That trend should continue in Game 1. Panthers head coach Paul Maurice has opted to move Matthew Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe to Barkov's line, which should help bring out the best in Barkov when it comes to shooting the puck.

Dating back to last season, Barkov's shot rates when playing with Tkachuk are drastically higher than with Sam Reinhart or any other winger.

It's also worth noting: Sam Bennett remains out due to injury, and Barkov averages an extra minute per game without Bennett in the lineup. More ice time leads to more shooting opportunities.

Odds: -140 (playable to -150)

Matthew Tkachuk: Over 0.5 assists

Tkachuk's on an absolute heater at home, recording at least one assist in 20 of his past 30 games in Florida, which equates to a remarkable 67% success rate.

He has great chemistry with Verhaeghe at even strength and handles the puck a ton down low on the power play. This leads to Tkachuk facilitating a ton of offense for teammates in high-danger areas and, when they convert, plenty of assists.

Paying with Barkov rather than Bennett should help Tkachuk, too. Barkov scores more goals than Bennett and converts on his chances at a higher rate (Barkov's career shooting percentage is about 3% higher).

Playing big minutes at five-on-five with two strong finishers and a key role on a dangerous power play should mean Tkachuk creates a bundle of chances in this game. Look for at least one of them to find the back of the net.

Odds: -115 (playable to -135)

Pavel Zacha: Over 0.5 points

The Bruins enjoyed plenty of success against the Panthers during the regular season and Zacha was a big reason why. He put up five points over four games, finding the scoresheet at least once on three occasions.

Although Zacha's coming off a quiet series against Toronto, I'm not worried about him.

He remains on the top line with David Pastrnak and continues to share the ice with the lethal sniper on the power play. As long as Zacha's role doesn't change, he'll have plenty of chances to get involved offensively and help create goals.

Pastrnak's recorded a point in seven of his past nine against Florida. Considering Zacha is attached to Pastrnak's hip in every situation, Pastrnak's production correlates nicely with Zacha.

I like the idea of getting exposure to one of the game's best offensive players in Pastrnak at a much more generous price point by way of Zacha.

Odds: -110 (playable to -125)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X at @ToddCordell.

Copyright © 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

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There are three elimination games scheduled over the next couple of nights in the NHL.

Here are the best ways to attack them.

William Nylander: Over 3.5 shots

Nylander hit the ground running after returning to the Maple Leafs' lineup. He recorded eight shots and 20 attempts in two games while logging 22-plus minutes in each.

That's nothing new for Nylander, who's cleared his shot total at a 65% clip when playing 20-plus minutes this season. That number spikes to 72% when moving the needle to 22 minutes or more.

I expect Nylander to continue getting as much ice as he can handle in Game 6. The Leafs are struggling to score goals, and they'll need their 98-point man - who has historically done a good job of producing in the playoffs - to help buck that trend.

Auston Matthews' status shouldn't have much of an impact on Nylander, who generally skates on the second line with John Tavares and the No. 1 power play.

Odds: -106 (playable to -120)

Morgan Rielly: Over 0.5 assists

Rielly's the No. 1 defenseman on the Maple Leafs and their only truly gifted puck mover. He plays a ton of minutes as a result, often behind the star-studded top two lines.

He's been on the ice for 125 shot attempts, 61 shots on goal, 26 high-danger scoring chances, and 5.78 expected goals at five-on-five. Those totals are good for first among all players on either team.

He also has a great role as the quarterback of a highly talented power play, even though it hasn't looked the part thus far.

Rielly's a talented player who plays a ton of minutes - almost exclusively with the team's top players - in every key offensive situation. His usage will only be ramped up further with the Maple Leafs playing for their season.

Considering his role on the team and that his hit rate is 24% higher when playing on home ice, I like backing Rielly for an apple in this do-or-die game.

Odds: -115 (playable to -130)

Quinn Hughes: Over 0.5 assists

Note: Canucks play Friday at 7 p.m. ET

Hughes is a cheat code when it comes to creating goals. He picked up 75 assists in the regular season and has five through five games against the Predators.

Although the series has been low-event and tightly contested, the Predators do like to open things up when they can, and that style seems to benefit Hughes.

Playoffs included, the dynamic defenseman has recorded 11 assists through eight games against the Predators this season. The location doesn't matter, either, as Hughes has five assists spanning four games in Nashville.

The Predators are a good team, but I think the Canucks have the edge in high-end talent and expect them to put Nashville away Friday night.

Given how many minutes Hughes plays as a puck-dominant offensive catalyst, he should be able to record an assist along the way.

Odds: Playable to -130.

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X at @ToddCordell.

Copyright © 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

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There are three elimination games scheduled over the next couple of nights in the NHL.

Here are the best ways to attack them.

William Nylander: Over 3.5 shots

Nylander hit the ground running after returning to the Maple Leafs' lineup. He recorded eight shots and 20 attempts in two games while logging 22-plus minutes in each.

That's nothing new for Nylander, who's cleared his shot total at a 65% clip when playing 20-plus minutes this season. That number spikes to 72% when moving the needle to 22 minutes or more.

I expect Nylander to continue getting as much ice as he can handle in Game 6. The Leafs are struggling to score goals, and they'll need their 98-point man - who has historically done a good job of producing in the playoffs - to help buck that trend.

Auston Matthews' status shouldn't have much of an impact on Nylander, who generally skates on the second line with John Tavares and the No. 1 power play.

Odds: -106 (playable to -120)

Morgan Rielly: Over 0.5 assists

Rielly's the No. 1 defenseman on the Maple Leafs and their only truly gifted puck mover. He plays a ton of minutes as a result, often behind the star-studded top two lines.

He's been on the ice for 125 shot attempts, 61 shots on goal, 26 high-danger scoring chances, and 5.78 expected goals at five-on-five. Those totals are good for first among all players on either team.

He also has a great role as the quarterback of a highly talented power play, even though it hasn't looked the part thus far.

Rielly's a talented player who plays a ton of minutes - almost exclusively with the team's top players - in every key offensive situation. His usage will only be ramped up further with the Maple Leafs playing for their season.

Considering his role on the team and that his hit rate is 24% higher when playing on home ice, I like backing Rielly for an apple in this do-or-die game.

Odds: -115 (playable to -130)

Quinn Hughes: Over 0.5 assists

Note: Canucks play Friday at 7 p.m. ET

Hughes is a cheat code when it comes to creating goals. He picked up 75 assists in the regular season and has five through five games against the Predators.

Although the series has been low-event and tightly contested, the Predators do like to open things up when they can, and that style seems to benefit Hughes.

Playoffs included, the dynamic defenseman has recorded 11 assists through eight games against the Predators this season. The location doesn't matter, either, as Hughes has five assists spanning four games in Nashville.

The Predators are a good team, but I think the Canucks have the edge in high-end talent and expect them to put Nashville away Friday night.

Given how many minutes Hughes plays as a puck-dominant offensive catalyst, he should be able to record an assist along the way.

Odds: Playable to -130.

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X at @ToddCordell.

Copyright © 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

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We put together another 2-1 card Tuesday night. William Nylander soared over his shot total and Quinn Hughes picked up an assist on the Canucks' lone goal. Unfortunately, Artturi Lehkonen didn't reach three shots against the Jets despite scoring.

Let's look at three players worth backing Wednesday night as we set our sights on a sweep.

Wyatt Johnston: Over 3.5 shots

Johnston's shooting the puck like there's no tomorrow. He's tallied 27 scoring chances and 43 shot attempts through just four games, both of which lead the Stars by a country mile.

Jamie Benn (14) is the closest in scoring chances, while Miro Heiskanen is second in attempts (30). Johnston is lapping the field.

His success with regards to shots on goal came in Vegas, but Johnston's process was very strong at home as well. He attempted 17 shots over the first two games of the series; he just missed the target on 13 of them.

Johnston's volume is encouragingly high on a nightly basis, and his usage reflects that. He leads all Stars forwards in five-on-five ice time in this series, which is no small feat considering they roster high-end forwards like Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz.

Given how well he played while dragging Dallas back into the series, Pete DeBoer will undoubtedly look to ride the hot hand in Game 5.

Odds: +110 (playable to -110)

Leon Draisaitl: Over 2.5 shots

Draisaitl's shot the puck quite a bit in this series. He's piled up 17 shots on goal through the first four games, second to only Adrian Kempe on either side.

Draisaitl's an efficient shooter, but his volume is generally inconsistent - until the postseason. Since the beginning of the 2023 playoffs, the German has picked up at least three shots in 15 of 17 outings and nine of 10 against these same Kings.

The lone exception came in Game 4 when Draisaitl took only two shots while missing the target on three other opportunities. Otherwise, he recorded 11 shots on goal over the first two contests while playing at home, nearly double the six he put up on the road.

With a chance to put away the series, I expect Draisaitl to be at his best and get right back on track when it comes to shooting the puck.

Odds: -134 (playable to -155)

Kevin Fiala: Over 2.5 shots

Fiala recorded over three shots in each of the first four games and attempted at least seven in every contest.

Nobody in the series has matched Fiala's attempt volume (34), and the location of the game hasn't impacted his ability to generate shots. Fiala attempted 17 shots over the two contests in Edmonton and subsequently did the same thing in Los Angeles.

Shooting success against the Oilers is nothing new for Fiala: He's gone over his total in six of the past seven head-to-head meetings and 12 of the last 16.

Fiala's ice time has also increased as the series has progressed. He should see roughly 20 minutes in a do-or-die game for the Kings - more than enough time to hit three shots in what has mostly been a high-event series.

Odds: -125 (playable to -150)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X at @ToddCordell.

Copyright © 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

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We had a solid Monday night on the ice, winning two of our three props. Let's waste no time getting to three more plays for a bunch of do-or-die games.

William Nylander: Over 3.5 shots

Nylander was given a full workload and then some in his return to the lineup, leading all Maple Leafs forwards in ice time (22:24) and shot attempts (eight). Although he fell one shot on goal shy of his total, it was encouraging to see he could handle a steady dose of ice.

I expect Nylander to again clear 20 minutes with ease in Game 5. The Maple Leafs are playing for their season and need all the offense they can get, especially with Auston Matthews questionable to play.

Nylander's averaged 4.4 shots on 8.8 attempts in games where he's played 20-plus minutes this season. That's led to him clearing his total at a 65% clip.

If we move the needle to 22-plus minutes, a milestone Nylander hit in Game 4, he's averaged 4.8 shots on goal per game and cleared at a 71% rate.

Whether Matthews plays or not, head coach Sheldon Keefe will be looking to get Nylander on the ice as much as possible with the season on the line. Expect him to take advantage.

Odds: +120 (playable to -120)

Artturi Lehkonen: Over 2.5 shots

Lehkonen's turned into quite the Jets killer. He's recorded at least three shots in all four games this series, piling up 19 in aggregate. That's almost five per game.

His success against them stems far beyond the playoffs, as Lehkonen's gone over his total in eight of his past nine meetings against the Jets.

He's skating on the second line with an extremely pass-happy center in Casey Mittelstadt. That helps boost his shooting floor and ceiling, as does playing a net-front role on a lethal power play where the Jets have to pay so much respect to superstars Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Mikko Rantanen.

It's also worth noting Lehkonen's recorded three-plus shots in five of six games without Jonathan Drouin while averaging 6.2 attempts. That's strong volume for someone who lives around the net and hits the target at a high clip.

Win or lose, I expect Lehkonen to hit the target a few times in Game 5.

Odds: -130 (playable to -145)

Quinn Hughes: Over 0.5 assists

Few are relied upon to facilitate offense for their team as much as Hughes. Playoffs included, he's recorded 79 assists through 86 games this season. That's remarkable production for any player, let alone a defenseman.

Although Hughes is an efficient producer against seemingly every team, he's hit a different level against the Predators.

Hughes has piled up 15 assists over his last 10 games against the Predators, recording at least one apple in eight of them.

He logs a ton of minutes at even strength and is lethal on the power play. With the Canucks pushing to eliminate the Predators, and get their guys extra rest heading into a likely second-round series against the Oilers, head coach Rick Tocchet will no doubt be leaning heavily on his captain.

This is a spot where Hughes could play 25-plus minutes. Given how much he handles the puck, and the volume of shots he creates for his teammates, that should translate to an assist.

Odds: -125 (playable to -135)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X at @ToddCordell.

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