Look for loads of points from Nathan MacKinnon

We have a lull in the postseason action tonight after watching the Celtics struggle for much of Game 5, losing back-to-back games for the first time in these playoffs.

The Stanley Cup Final doesn't start until Wednesday, and after months of playoff games, we're left searching for some bark to chew on.

In lieu of a game preview, we'll use today to look into some futures bets you can place before the Tampa Bay Lightning and Colorado Avalanche meet on the ice.

Look to Nathan MacKinnon to lead the series in points - As we get our ducks in a row for this series, there are some intriguing betting markets at our disposal. One in particular we like is looking at the Most Points in the Series futures. Of the available options, we've put our money on Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon. He is the co-favorite at +400, but he's there for a reason. Tampa Bay has been vulnerable to shots, goals and points from the center position all postseason, and as the top-line center for the Avs, MacKinnon stands to benefit. He had three points in his lone meeting this season against the Lightning, and in his past 15 games against the Bolts, MacKinnon has piled up 23 points. He has 18 total points this postseason and 35 more shots than the next closest player on Colorado. We're betting MacKinnon to top the series in points at +400.

Value bet on Conn Smythe Trophy winner - It's important to note that the Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded for your entire body of work in the postseason. It's not just an MVP award for the series, but rather what you've done to get your team to this point. Betting odds are set, and Cale Makar is the favorite at this point, given the Avalanche's status as series favorite. We'll use this space to give Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy his shine. Vasilevskiy has been nothing short of the best goalie in hockey for the past three seasons, and the Lightning win this series if Vas stifles this explosive Avalanche offense. He is allowing just 2.27 goals per game in these playoffs on a .928% save percentage and has been the reason for many wins up to this point. At +400, we recommend looking to Vasilevskiy if you think the Lightning can win it all (again). He won the award last year.

In other news ...

The Warriors' Game 5 win drastically alters the betting market - Golden State forced plenty of turnovers and were able to win without Steph Curry making a single three-pointer, an encouraging sign for the Warriors' depth. Andrew Wiggins had a big game, moving Golden State within a game of an NBA championship. If you still think the Celtics can recover and win this series, you won't find better odds for them to win than now. The Celtics are currently +290 to win it all. They were down 3-2 to Milwaukee in the second round, so it is certainly possible here.

Royal Ascot begins today - Royal Ascot, five days of elite racing in England that feature some of the top horses, trainers and jockeys in the world, starts on Tuesday. We'll have daily picks here at Yardbarker, with Day 1 highlights including Baeeed and Persian Force. Take in the full week's schedule, and find you the races worth betting on. The entire week is loaded with talent, with the event serving as something of an Olympics for horse racing.

Today's Bark Bets is written by Griffin Carroll