NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: Four props to start off Round 1

We've made it to the Stanley Cup Playoffs! The gift of quality hockey awaits us for the next two months, and on top of enjoying the action as a fan, there's betting value to be had.

We start Round 1 with four games Monday night, and there are points and shot on goal (SOG) looks that touch each game.

Sportsbooks have been slow to release lines Monday, but that hasn't stopped us from finding four prop plays to get our day started.

Let's get to the spots.

Seth Jarvis over 0.5 points (-104 FD)

Our props begin on the Carolina end, where the Hurricanes will host the Boston Bruins to start the series.

I like some Canes goals Monday for a few reasons. First, recent trends suggest we can expect some scoring, as Carolina is averaging 3.2 goals per game in their past five home games while Boston has seen 3.6 goals against them in their last five on the road.

Matchup stats really rise above those recent trends. In three meetings this year, Carolina is averaging 5.33 goals scored against Boston.

With this angle, I turn to Seth Jarvis, a member of Carolina's top line. These are tremendous odds for a top-line skater, and he is rolling.

Jarvis has a point in seven straight games and nine of 10.

That's production I'm willing to follow. Not only is Jarvis on the top line, but he's also on the top power play unit. Boston comes into this one averaging the third-most power play opportunities allowed per game in the last 15.

Given those expected power plays, it just brings an extra layer of confidence that Jarvis can be involved in the scoring Monday.

Steven Stamkos over 1.5 points (+166 FD)

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I am riding with Steven Stamkos until he lets us down. Science may suggest to stay off, as Toronto has been quite stingy to goals at home of late, but Stamkos is on a tear.

Stamkos has now registered two-plus points in nine straight games. In this span, he has piled up an absurd 30 points. 30 points in nine games!

He's also had nice success against the Maple Leafs, going over 1.5 points in three straight matchups.

Love to see this come in at +166, and I'm continuing the ride until further notice.

Kirill Kaprizov goal (+120 DK)

I'm really excited for this Wild-Blues series, with two high-flying offenses hitting the ice. I would not be surprised to see this go seven games despite St. Louis sweeping the regular-season series.

These feel like the two best teams to continuously look to goal-scorers, and that's exactly what I'm doing with betting Kirill Kaprizov Monday.

Minnesota is averaging 4.5 goals per game in their past 10 at home, while St. Louis is seeing 3.3 goals scored against them in the same span on the road.

In three contests this season, the Wild have averaged four goals per game, and Kaprizov has scored each time.

It's that streak I'm riding here, and there's also the narrative layer that the best players step up in big games.

Kaprizov has been far steadier at home with both his shots and scoring. In his last 30 in Minnesota, Kaprizov has scored in 19 games, good for a rate of 63%. 

With a goal in 10 of his last 13 at home, I like the hot streak to continue Monday night.

Parlay: Mitch Marner and Adrian Kempe over 2.5 SOG (+190 CZR)

Books have been real slow releasing shots on goal props Monday morning, but we've finally found ourselves a combo to feel good about.

Both of these players come in around -140, so if you're comfortable laying that juice, by all means pursue these standalone.

I like the parlay with odds at +190, as both are in advantageous spots Monday night.

Marner gets a Tampa Bay team allowing 32.4 shots per game in their last ten on the road, and in four games this season, Toronto is averaging 37 shots against the Lightning.

In the three games Marner suited up against Tampa, he was quite involved, piling up 14 SOG for a 4.7 per game average.

Overall, Marner has hit his shots in 18 of his past 23 games.

Now, to Adrian Kempe. I expect plenty of shots to go around for Los Angeles in this series against Edmonton. At home, the Oilers are allowing 37 shots per game in their past 10, and the Kings pile up shots on the road as a team.

In four meetings vs Edmonton, the Kings have averaged 36.5 shots on goal per game, and Kempe has been involved, going for four-plus SOG in three of four, averaging 4.5 per game in the four.

Overall, Kempe has covered his shots in nine of his past 11.

For now, that's it for Monday night in the NHL. Best of luck Monday evening, let's get our playoff props off on the right foot by cashing some bets!