NHL Betting: Avalanche vs Oilers Player Props – Hyman, Kane, MacKinnon – 05/31/22

The best player props for the Game 1 matchup between the Colorado Avalanche and the Edmonton Oilers as the series kicks off in Colorado.

Zach Hyman – Anytime Goal-Scorer (+180)

Zach Hyman scored in each of the five games against the Calgary Flames and totaled six goals in the series. He was a big factor while playing a team that consistently gave fuel to the fire and called the Oilers a one-man team. He has the skillset and utilization in the lineup to keep that pace up, and that’s what we’re betting on.

Zach Hyman Edmonton Oilers
Zach Hyman, Edmonton Oilers (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Avalanche goalie Darcy Kuemper hasn’t been the sharpest through the first two rounds and the Oilers figured him out in their final regular-season game after he shut the door in the previous two. Whether Hyman is playing on the top line with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl or on the second line, he is the net-front presence on the power play that has seen him pot a couple of key goals.

Evander Kane – Anytime Goal-Scorer (+150)

Betting Evander Kane at this value to score a goal is almost a no-brainer. Though his goals have come in bunches, he didn’t score in the Oilers’ previous game, so he’s due. He has scored 12 goals in 12 playoff games and has benefited greatly by playing alongside two of the game’s best passers in McDavid and Draisaitl.

Kane has always been an effective scorer, but he has really shown off his speed and ability to get open for easier goals. If he scores in the game, don’t expect him to stop at one. He has scored in five of the games but has two hat tricks and three two-goal games. So consider a live bet for a second goal if Kane scores in the first half of the game.

Nathan MacKinnon – Points (Over 1.5, +160)

Among players who have played at least 40 playoff games, Nathan MacKinnon ranks third all-time in points per game (1.37) behind Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. That is some pretty good company and required absolute dominance in the postseason. MacKinnon is actually a bit down from his career average in points per game but has played two better defensive teams in the Nashville Predators and St. Louis Blues. That could change this round as action should be going end to end every game.

Nathan MacKinnon Colorado Avalanche
Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

It’s not unrealistic at all to think MacKinnon will come out of the gates hot and have himself a great start to the series. He scored in just one game in Round 2 when he recorded a hat trick after scoring in each of the games in the first round. His eight goals and 13 points in 10 games along with the up and down play of Oilers’ goaltender Mike Smith allows you to confidently make this bet.

Odds via Yahoo and BetMGM.

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