Lightning should even series with Rangers

We sure are happy we bet the over last night in the NHL, as a six-goal third period powered a thrilling 6-5 overtime win for Colorado.

Hockey again takes center stage this evening with Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final between the Rangers and Lightning. Tampa Bay dictated the pace in Game 3, and we like that to continue tonight.

Look to the Lightning for shots and goals - Tampa Bay piled on an absurd 52 shots in Game 3, all in regulation. It was a desperation game, down 2-0 in the series and at home, and the Lightning delivered with a late 3-2 victory. We like that intensity and aggressiveness to remain; Tampa Bay can't afford to head back to New York down 3-1. Look for a breakthrough game by the Lightning this evening. We're backing the -1.5 puckline at +150. The reasoning is simply built on the volume Tampa Bay is operating with. The Bolts are averaging 40.7 shots per game this series, and while Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin has been phenomenal, there comes a time when the sheer quantity becomes too much to contain.

We have a few prop bets built off this belief, namely with the Lightning's captain: Steven Stamkos. Stamkos is leading the Lightning in shots on goal and shot attempts this series, averaging 5 SOG per game through three contests. You can bet he goes over 3.5 shots at +125, a wager we're loading up. Stamkos came out hot in Game 3, and it will be on him to establish that tone again.

In other news ...

Colorado Avalanche punch their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final - The Avalanche dispatched the Oilers in just four games, their second sweep of this postseason, to advance to the Stanley Cup Final. It will be their first Stanley Cup Final appearance in 21 years, and they are the commanding favorites to win, just as they have been for months now. Colorado is currently -225 to hoist the Stanley Cup, which doesn't offer great betting value. The better use of a bet may be on the winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy for the Final's most valuable player. Cale Makar is the betting favorite at +170, and after the five-point performance he put on last night, we're betting on the star defenseman to take home the honors.

Women's College World Series set - The college softball season has reached its pinnacle event with the top-seeded Oklahoma Sooners clashing with Texas. The Red River Rivalry is set to begin on Wednesday night in a best-of-three series. Oklahoma will head into this one as the heavy favorite, 57-3 on the year. It's worth noting that one of those three losses was to Texas, though the Sooners rebounded by defeating the Longhorns earlier in the World Series bracket. Heading into the tournament, Texas was +4000 to win it all. The Longhorns are the first unseeded team to ever reach the College World Series, and we love an underdog story.

Aaron Donald becomes highest-paid defensive player in the NFL - After some back-and-forth that included Aaron Donald suggesting early retirement, Donald and the Rams have agreed to a new deal. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year signed an extension that includes $65 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league. With the contract talk finished, you can feel more confident in both the Rams repeating as Super Bowl champs (+1000) and Donald to take home another Defensive Player of the Year Award (+700).

Today's Bark Bets is written by Griffin Carroll