NHL Betting: Predators vs Avalanche Game 1 Prop Bets – 05/03/2022

The Nashville Predators visit the Colorado Avalanche for Game 1 of their opening round. The Predators won the season series between the two, taking three of the four games. This is where you’ll find some of the best prop bets available for tonight’s action.

Matt Duchene – Anytime Goal Scorer (+190)

Becoming the first 40-goal scorer in Nashville’s history, Matt Duchene turned his career around in one season. He went from going unprotected in the Seattle Expansion Draft to being one of the most consistent players on the team. On a line with Mikael Granlund and Filip Forsberg, the trio has been dynamite all season long. With Granlund’s 53 assists and both Forsberg and Duchene hitting 40 goals, they’ll be a line to look out for during the series.

Matt Duchene Nashville Predators
Matt Duchene, Nashville Predators (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)

Duchene played in three of the four games in the season series. He scored four goals on 14 shots against the Avalanche, and his line as a whole has clicked well against them. At the rate they’re playing, if they can continue taking advantage of Darcy Kuemper‘s late-season struggles, it’s guaranteed money to be made.

Nathan MacKinnon – Player Shots (Over 4.5, +100)

Nathan MacKinnon was one of three 30-goal scorers on the Avalanche this season, and a big reason for it is the sheer amount of shots he took. His 501 shot attempts in 65 games average slightly under eight, and of those shots, 299 hit the net. His blend of size and speed makes him a constant threat to any defensive group, and the Predators don’t have the depth to trust more than one or two of their defenders to consistently cover a player like MacKinnon.

He missed the first game of the season series, but MacKinnon still registered 17 shots against the Predators in three games. The over (4.5, +100) is very appealing, especially considering the home-ice advantage and the Avalanche’s likeliness to jump out of the gate and take control of the flow early on.

Cale Makar – Player Power Play Points (Over 0.5, +155)

If it wasn’t for Roman Josi’s monster of a season, Cale Makar would likely be taking home the Norris Trophy. The 23-year-old eclipsed his goal total from the past two seasons combined and amassed a whopping 86 points. A big reason for this is the Avalanche’s seventh-best power play being as dominant as it was. Makar is the quarterback who has plenty of tools at his disposal, and all four of his linemates are viable for setting up plays. In three seasons, Makar has become one of the best defenders in recent Avalanche history.

Cale Makar Colorado Avalanche
Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

It’s not a stretch to consider he’ll register at least one power-play point against the Predators in Game 1. In the season series, Makar registered four power-play points against Nashville, including three assists. It’s worth taking into consideration that the Predators are the league’s leader in penalties taken, and it will likely translate into the postseason. If the Avalanche can get a few power plays in early, Makar is sure to pile up some points.

Odds via Yahoo and BetMGM.

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