Game 1 is set to get underway in the Eastern Conference Final as the New York Rangers host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Despite only one game tonight, there are still a couple of great angles to attack in the prop betting market.
Below, I give out my two best NHL player prop bets for Wednesday.
As a reminder, I am playing all player props for a half-unit each during the playoffs, or 0.5% of your betting bankroll. Follow me on Twitter to get all of my plays on days without full write-ups.
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Bet $10, Win $200 if Either Team Score a Goal >>
Victor Hedman Under 0.5 Points (+115)
Goals will be at a premium in this series as the two best goaltenders on the planet are facing off against each other in this series. With that being said, there is too much value in this number to pass up even though.
I believe we are getting a generous line here because Victor Hedman is, obviously, one of the best defensemen in the league. However, he will be on the road against an extremely hot goaltender in Igor Shesterkin.
Amongst the four remaining starting goaltenders left in the playoffs, Shesterkin ranks second in five-on-five save percentage at 0.938 and first in five-on-five goals saved above expected (GSAx) per 60 minutes at +1.003. Additionally, the Lightning may be a little rusty in this opening game as they have had eight days off due to their sweep of the Florida Panthers.
Hedman has failed to register a point in three of his last six games.
Steven Stamkos Under 0.5 Points (+140)
Steven Stamkos will be the other Lightning skater I am fading in this contest. As I mentioned above, goals will be at a premium in this game, and these odds are too long for me to pass up, even with how great of a player Stamkos is.
In a similar fashion to Hedman, we are getting a generous line here due to the player’s name. Stamkos is coming off of a Game 4 against Florida where he did not find the scoresheet and may be slow out of the gate due to their extended time off.
In each of his last two games against Shesterkin and the Rangers this season, Stamkos failed to record a point. There is absolutely no denying the star power of these two guys; they could each get a point in one swing within the first 10 minutes of the game, and I would not be shocked.
That being said, I think the odds make each of these props worth the risk.
Best of luck!
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Tony Sartori is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Tony, check out his archive and follow him @tony_sartori.