Game 2 of the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Final is set to get underway as the Colorado Avalanche host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Despite there only being two teams left to square off this season, there are still a couple of great angles to attack in the betting market. Let’s take a look at our betting previews, odds, and picks for Saturday’s Game 2 against the Avalanche and Lightning.
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
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Lightning vs. Avalanche Game 2 Prop Bet Odds & Picks
Andrei Vasilevskiy Over 33.5 Saves (-125)
Going over this total in Game 1, Andrei Vasilevskiy should be a great candidate to do so once again in Game 2. Vasilevskiy had an off night in that game and still went over this number as he allowed four goals on 38 shots, posting a mere 0.895 save percentage.
Posting -0.52 goals saved above expected (GSAx), we should see some positive regression from Vasilevskiy. This postseason, Vasilevskiy boasts a 0.926 save percentage and +0.67 GSAx per 60 minutes.
Additionally, Colorado peppers shots on opponents so Vasilevskiy should have a chance to get to this number even if he has another off game. Opposing goaltenders have gone over this number in each of Colorado’s last six games.
Ross Colton Under 1.5 Shots on Goal (+105)
If the game script plays out like how I mentioned above and Colorado continues to control the offensive zone, that means that the Lightning will obviously have fewer shots on goal by default. We saw this play out in Game 1 as the Lightning only mustered 23 shots on goal, and I do not expect them to positively regress much higher than that as they will be on the road once again in Game 2.
If we are fading any Tampa Bay skaters to go under their shot total, Ross Colton is the best option. Colton has now gone under this total in five straight games and in nine of his last 14 playoff appearances (64%).
Including Wednesday’s Game 1, Colton has gone under this total in all three of his games against the Avalanche this season. With one of the best defenses in the league, the Avalanche should be able to limit Tampa Bay’s offense once again in Game 2 on home ice.
Lightning vs. Avalanche Game 2 Parlay Picks
- Leg 1: Lightning ML
- Leg 2: Under 6 (-105)
- Leg 3: Kuemper Over 27.5 Saves (-105)
- Leg 4: Stamkos Over 0.5 points (-165)
I see the Lightning coming back tonight and evening the series at one game apiece. Tampa Bay bounced back in Game One after going down and showed no quit throughout the game. They were in the contest the whole time and proved that they're on the same level as the Avs, despite what many "talking heads" would leave you to believe. Once Andrei Vasilevskiy settled in, he elevated his play to the extraordinary level we've become accustomed to.
Vasilevskiy is arguably the best goaltender in the game, and he's undoubtedly the most credentialed netminder in the postseason over the last three years. The Russian-born goaltender enters tonight's game with a 2.36 GAA and 0.926 SV%. Look for him to have a legendary performance tonight to keep his team in the series. While he's phenomenal in his own rights, his defensemen are up there with the best of them. Vasilevskiy's chemistry with Victor Hedman, Ryan McDonagh, and Mikhail Sergachev is unparalleled, and these guys always turn it up in big games.
On the front end for the Bolts, they'll need contributions from their star players if they want to knot up the series. The captain, Steven Stamkos, is always reliable in crucial games, and I expect he'll find the scoresheet tonight. The centerman has 15 points (9G, 6A) through 18 games this postseason. Look for the captain to serve Nikita Kucherov for an assist or maybe even find the back of the net himself. I like the Bolts apply pressure all night, pepper Darcy Kuemper with shots, and win in a lower-scoring affair tonight
Parlay Odds: +1308 via DraftKings
Lightning vs. Avalanche Game 2 Game Picks
Picks: Tampa ML & Under 6 Goals
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