Four different first-round series of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs roll on with Game 2s this Thursday.
Below are my five best PrizePicks props for the slate. For those unfamiliar with PrizePicks flex plays, correctly predicting 5-of-5 props registers a 10x payout, 4-of-5 registers a 2x payout and 3-of-5 registers a 0.4x payout.
You can also take these plays and do smaller parlays with just two or three props for lower payouts.
What is PrizePicks? A daily fantasy operator — meaning they’re available in more states (31) than sports betting is! — PrizePicks offers a unique opportunity for action on player props in which you parlay two or more plays together.
NHL Player Props
Johnny Gaudreau Over 0.5 Assists
Stars at Flames, 9:30 p.m. ET
The Calgary Flames look to take a 2-0 series lead as they host the Dallas Stars following Tuesday's 1-0 victory. I am going back to the well after successfully hitting this prop in Game 1 as Gaudreau continues to rack up points.
The first line of Gaudreau/Elias Lindholm/Matthew Tkachuk continues to dominate as they generated the lone goal in Tuesday's outing. In the regular season, Gaudreau led the team with 75 assists and had 40 helpers in 41 home games.
I would not play this total if it jumps from 0.5 to 1.
Roope Hintz Under 0.5 Points
Stars at Flames, 9:30 p.m. ET
I am going back to the well on another successful prop from Tuesday as Hintz and the rest of the Stars failed to find the back of the net in Game 1. Calgary's defense showed up as advertised, as it currently ranks third in five-on-five expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA) this season.
Jacob Markstrom was barely challenged all game as the Stars had just 0.9 expected goals for (xGF) in Game 1. The Jason Robertson/Joe Pavelski/Hintz line was effectively shut down by Calgary's defense as they just had 0.16 xGF. I believe the Flames can shut them down once again.
In four games against the Flames this season, Hintz has zero points.
Cale Makar Over 0.5 Assists
Predators at Avalanche, 7:30 p.m. ET
The Colorado Avalanche look to take a 2-0 series lead as they host the Nashville Predators following Tuesday's 7-2 victory.
Nashville was overpowered by Colorado the second the puck dropped, and the game was effectively over halfway through the first period. Makar collected two assists, and if Colorado lights up the lamp once again, then there is no reason to believe he will not have a big game again.
The Devon Toews and Makar defensive pairing was dominant against a Nashville team that had no answers as they generated 0.686 xGF when on the ice together in Game 1.
I would not play this number at anything higher than 0.5.
Mikael Granlund Over 0.5 Points
Predators at Avalanche, 7:30 p.m. ET
While Nashville was dominated from beginning to end in Game 1, I still believe they can put up a few goals again in Game 2.
Granlund registered two assists on Tuesday as he continues his tear. Over his past five games, Granlund has collected 11 points. This streak makes sense as almost all of the scoring comes from his two linemates, Matt Duchene and Filip Forsberg, who each has over 40 goals this season.
I would not play this total if It jumps from 0.5 to 1.
Mason Marchment Under 0.5 Points
Capitals at Panthers, 7 p.m. ET
The Florida Panthers look to even up the series as they host the Washington Capitals following Tuesday's 4-2 loss. Washington's defense showed up to play as the Capitals held the league's highest-scoring team to just 2.21 xGF.
Florida's Marchment/Anton Lundell/Sam Reinhart line was shut down as all three players failed to find the scoresheet in Game 1, specifically Marchment, who had just 0.12 xGF. Needing this win before heading on the road for two games, I expect Florida's top-six to carry the bulk of the load in Game 2, which means we could see fewer minutes for Marchment.
