Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli. Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Prop bets for Rangers-Lightning Game 3

After a really strong start to the Conference Finals, the last few days have been nothing short of disappointing. No hiding from that, but as always, the best cure is to continue on and try and find some unturned stones.

In Sunday's Game 3 between the Rangers and Lightning, I have a few prop plays, favoring the belief that Tampa Bay comes out scoring at home.

Anthony Cirelli point (-105 DK)

The Lightning score more at home this postseason (4.0 vs. 2.67) and the Rangers allow more goals on the road (3.71 vs. 2.29), so I certainly feel good about Tampa scoring today.

Down 2-0 and back home should up the intensity as well. The first player we load up to get in on the fun is Anthony Cirelli, who we bet on in Game 2 and who hit almost immediately.

Cirelli is centering Tampa's top line, so to get near even-money for a member of a top line is value always worth jumping on.

Cirelli has four points in his last three games.

Victor Hedman assist (-110 DK)

Now, I know that double-dipping on a game-script can open up a bit of risk, but I feel good in my read as it relates to Tampa scoring.

Thus, we load up their top defensemen and member of their top power play unit to get an assist. Hedman has four assists in his last six games and eight total this postseason. 

He has registered an assist in three of five meetings against New York this season and has been more consistent at home. He has an assist in 63% of home games this season compared to just 47% on the road.

Hedman is also shooting plenty, which could yield either a tip-in goal or a rebound score. He's involved, and I like these odds.

Artemi Panarin over 2.5 SOG (+120 DK)

I'm kicking myself for abandoning Panarin in Game 2 after betting him to success in Game 1. The reasons for liking Panarin in advance of this series were two-fold: his history against Tampa and his involvement on the power play.

Panarin has hit his SOG in both games to start this series, and in four games this year against the Lightning he's averaging six attempts per game and has covered thrice. In his past 14 meetings against Tampa, Panarin has gone for three or more shots 12 times.

Game 2 saw Panarin pile on five shots, and we still get him at plus-money.

He is also shooting on the Rangers power play, and the Lightning continue to have an issue with penalties. As long as these opportunities continue, so should shots from Panarin.

Good luck today, let's cash some NHL bets!

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