Three bets for Stanley Cup Final Game 5: Lightning vs. Avalanche

Could this be the last NHL article of our season? Maybe or maybe not, let's worry less about that and more about the props on our radar for tonight.

Game 4 went swimmingly for us, and my attention is fixated on some alternate shots on goal lines tonight. Plus-money is calling my name.

Cale Makar 4+ shots (+146 FD)

Do I really need to add analysis here? We've bet this two straight games and he's gone ahead and piled up five SOG in each game.

The only potential reason I see for getting better odds on him is because he isn't on the road (where he has gone for 4+ shots in five straight). Even at home, he's still put up 4+ shots in five of his past eight home playoff games, so the success is there.

This man's volume isn't to be trifled with, he's put up 42 attempts in four games this series (10.5 per game) and has gone over four SOG in seven of his past ten games.

Victor Hedman 4+ shots (+186 FD)

No this isn't Wednesday's article, you're in the right place! Another familiar face that I don't think we need to spend much time on. I won't lie, it felt great to correctly predict a massive Hedman game coming. The defenseman piled on seven shots on goal, scoring as well.

Hedman has 29 attempts this series, including nine in each of his past two games. We've been following a trend this postseason around defensemen on teams facing elimination, they tend to fire off even more shots. Hedman has been one of the only constants on Tampa Bay this series, and we continue to bet on his involvement.

Valeri Nichushkin 4+ shots (+164 FD)

We welcome Valeri Nichushkin into the discussion as he's back at home, where he has really shined. If you're looking for a safer option, it would be him to get three shots, which he has done in all but one home game this postseason.

I'm opting for 4+ shots at these odds. He had 11 shots on goal in the first two games in Colorado this series and has gone for 4+ shots in three of four (four of five against Tampa overall this season).

The attempts are there and I expect the Avalanche to maintain the shot volume we've seen from them all postseason at home.

That will do it for me on my Game 5 looks, all at plus-money. Enjoy the game, and let's cash some bets on the ice in what could be our 2022 season finale.