Mark Lammey
Show Bio
This is the most exciting and tense time of the NHL season. Teams are clinching playoff berths and fighting for seeding. For other teams, they are just hoping to end the season healthy and perhaps testing out new, young skaters. A change in tactics can swing odds for sides and totals; therefore, we can target the player prop market. Specifically, let’s take a look at Vegas returning to Sin City and the Avalanche in their first game since clinching the Western Conference title. Along with our player props, be sure to check out our full game previews for tonight’s matchups.
Jack Eichel over 0.5 goals (+115)
The Golden Knights are returning to Vegas after an embarrassing shutout to the Oilers on Saturday. It will also be the first game back at home for their captain, Mark Stone, after missing the majority of the season due to injury. The Knights are still fighting for a playoff spot and need every win possible. Vegas acquired Jack Eichel from the Sabres earlier this season for exactly these types of moments. The Devils coming into town provides the perfect opportunity for Eichel to prove himself to his new franchise.
New Jersey is on the 5th game of a western road trip, and just lost to the new expansion team, the Kraken, in their last game. Everything has gone downhill since losing their best skater, Jack Hughes. The offense has diminished recently, but the goaltending has been terrible all season. They have cycled through 7 different goaltenders and are allowing nearly 4 goals per game on the road. They may enjoy being in Vegas as it seems like they’ve just been spinning a roulette wheel for which goalie gets the start. Eichel should have no issues finding the back of the net regardless of who they choose. He’s taking plenty of chances with 114 shots in 28 games and at least one should light the goal siren on Monday night.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for the New Jersey Devils vs Vegas Golden Knights
Cale Makar over 1.5 points (+200)
The Avalanche clinched the Western Conference crown by defeating the Hurricanes 7-4 on Saturday. While that may signal an opportunity to rest players, the NHL is different to the MLB or most soccer leagues. The word “rest” is not usually a welcome one outside of the top superstars. That especially won’t be the case for Cale Makar. He is still very young and making a name for himself. Make no doubt, the franchise and the entire league knows he’s a future superstar. However, he still needs to prove he can perform on a consistent basis and in the postseason.
He’s averaging over 25.5 minutes of ice time per game, good for 7th in the league. That’s above the likes of Predators captain Roman Josi and Stanley Cup champion Victor Hedman. Most importantly, he’s making use of that ice time. He has 82 points in 71 games, one of the best records in the league among defensemen. He also has one of the highest shot totals among defensemen with 222. Whether he’s dishing out apples to Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen or finding the back of the net himself, the kid is a stud. Look for him to help Colorado take advantage of a Capitals team who never remedied their goaltending issues at the trade deadline.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for the Washington Capitals vs Colorado Avalanche
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