Odds via Bet365 on May 16^th, 2022 @ 5:00 PM

The Stanley Cup Playoffs present some of the most unexpected moments in all of sports – making betting on the games a much more difficult task than the regular season. But since the first round is over and you now have a pulse on the quality of the teams that remain in contention for the Stanley Cup, let me tell you: there's some money to be made.

Below, you will find two player prop bets with some gifted veterans, as well as a team prop bet on a dark horse cup contender.

Steven Stamkos Over 3.5 Shots (+125)

Steven Stamkos has been the heartbeat of the Tampa Bay Lightning ever since he was drafted first overall back in 2008. He's largely known around the league for his blistering one-timer on the powerplay, so naturally he's a shoot first/pass later kind of guy. And with Brayden Point out of the lineup for game one, look to Stammer to fill the void at first-line centre and see more ice time in what is certain to be a very close second-round series against the Florida Panthers.

Don't think twice about this bet – hammer the over on Stammer in this one and you can thank me later.

Claude Giroux Over 0.5 Powerplay Points (+175)

When the Panthers acquired Claude Giroux from the Philadelphia Flyers before the NHL Trade Deadline, they knew they were getting not only a veteran of the game, but a talented one at that. So far in these playoffs he's tallied 7 points in six games these playoffs – with 5 of those points coming in his last two games. So, you need to strike while the iron's hot.

While he has yet to notch a powerplay point in these playoffs, you must imagine he's due. Over his career he's been a wizard on the powerplay, ranking ninth in powerplay points (350) across active players in the NHL during the regular season – so he clearly knows what he's doing out there. Couple that with the fact that since being traded to the Panthers, he has exposure to elite talent like Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov on the top unit, and a sense of optimism seems to set in that he will notch his first powerplay point sooner rather than later.

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St. Louis Blues to Score (Goals) First (+120)

The St. Louis Blues just handed the Minnesota Wild an early exit last round and will look to continue rolling into the second round against the Colorado Avalanche as the underdogs. The thing is, the Blues are a serious cup contender and are a much deeper team this year. Yes, the Blues were swept by the Avalanche last year, but I believe this time around it will be a closer series than when the two teams met previously.

With Colorado not having played a game in over a week, a slow start to game one seems realistic. Because of their long layoff, I look to the Blues to get things going early against the Avs.

Prop Bet Wrap Up

There's some good value in these bets. You know the Battle of Florida is going to be the most entertaining in the East. These two teams met last year in the playoffs and there is guaranteed to be fireworks – especially on the powerplay.

And the player to watch on the powerplay this series will be nonother than Claude Giroux. The Panthers brought him in to help them beat the back-to-back Stanley Cup champs. He has high exposure to elite players and will be given every opportunity to work his offside on the point.

The latter game tonight will be an interesting one. I believe Colorado will win the series but don't think it will be an easy series by any means. I think if St. Louis is to take any games, it will be early in the series – because going down early against the Avalanche is no recipe for success.

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