Point to prey on Panthers in Game 2
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We have four more playoff games on the docket Tuesday night. Let's waste no time getting to a few of my favorite ways to get involved in the action.
Brayden Point: Over 2.5 shots
There's hot, and then there's Point. The Lightning's top center has recorded three shots or more in six consecutive games and eight of the past nine overall.
Point had five scoring chances and four shots on target against the Panthers in the series opener. Both of those totals were good for first place on the Lightning.
Point logged 16:46 at five-on-five alone in Game 1. That was more than every forward on either team, which is pretty impressive given all the star power featured in this series.
He's attached to the hip of 100-assist man Nikita Kucherov at even strength and on the No. 1 power-play unit. With 20-plus minutes likely coming his way as the Bolts look to avoid falling into a 2-0 hole, he should have ample opportunity to shoot the puck once again.
Odds: -140 (playable to -160)
Nathan MacKinnon: Over 4.5 shots
The Jets had a miserable time slowing MacKinnon down in the series opener. MacKinnon found the scoresheet twice and helped the Avalanche threaten offensively almost every shift.
The Avalanche recorded 36 shot attempts with MacKinnon on the ice across all situations. He was involved in a healthy chunk of them as he alone fired 11 pucks toward Connor Hellebuyck.
Although MacKinnon hit the net four times and fell short of this total, the process was extremely encouraging.
MacKinnon has attempted 11 shots or more 21 times this season. He recorded five shots or more in 19 of them and finished with four in both exceptions. He's almost automatic when generating such volume.
I think MacKinnon can hit double digits again in Game 2. He played more than 22 minutes a night in the regular season and logged over 24 last time out. Jared Bednar rides his horses and will no doubt lean on his Hart Trophy candidate to lead the charge while pushing to even the series.
It's also worth noting Zach Parise is skating on the top line in Jonathan Drouin's absence. MacKinnon has only played a couple of games with Parise, but he's taking upwards of 30 attempts per 60 minutes at five-on-five. Those are astronomically high rates to go along with MacKinnon being the lead dog on the power play.
Win or lose, I expect him to put up a big number Tuesday night.
Odds: -130 (playable to -145)
Josh Morrissey: Over 0.5 assists
Morrissey is one of the best puck-moving defensemen in the sport. He hits consistently good outlets and is so good at finding open seams once shop is set up in the offensive zone.
He's registered 32 assists over his past 30 games played and has picked up at least one apple in 19 of them.
Morrissey also has an extremely strong history against the Avalanche, recording an assist in nine of the past 10 head-to-head meetings.
The good times should continue against a laboring Alexandar Georgiev. He owns an .856 save percentage and has conceded at least four goals in six of eight games over the past month.
He's not getting the job done right now. With Morrissey likely to play 25-plus minutes across all situations against a high-event Avalanche team, I like his chances of helping create a goal.
Odds: -110 (playable to -135)
Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X at @ToddCordell.