NHL Thursday bets: Prop targets for tonight on the ice

We finished down a bit from Wednesday's action, but all that's brought is a new sense of focus on Thursday night's slate of playoff hockey.

I for one am ready to break things open, and with value out there on the board, I know we can do it. We've got two NHL games Thursday, and with it comes shots on goal (SOG) props and players to record a point.

To the spots we go.

Steven Stamkos over 3.5 SOG (+130 DK)

On Tuesday, we targeted Nikita Kucherov's shots with Brayden Point out. While Kucherov finished with a goal and an assist, he did not reach three shots.

Our attention was likely better suited for Steven Stamkos, and that's where we go with Point out again. Stamkos finished Game 1 with five SOG on seven attempts. 

Without Point, Stamkos's usage does increase ever so slightly from 2.95 shots per game with him and 3.07 without him this season.

What makes Stamkos the play Thursday night is that Florida continues to be penalized at an aggressive clip. The Panthers had six penalties in Game 1 and are averaging 4.3 power-play opportunities allowed per game in these playoffs.

Stamkos has been a focal point of the Lightning power play all season, and these opportunities only make us feel better about him reaching four shots on net.

Since April 1, Florida is allowing the fifth-most shots per game to LWs, which is where Stamkos presides.

Plenty to like here, and at +130, it's a great time to jump on.

Parlay: Jonathan Huberdeau & Nikita Kucherov over 0.5 assists (+176 FD)

These player performance parlays are only available on FanDuel, and I find this one to be fantastic value. I like the over Thursday night here, so that alone makes me want to find some points or assists props.

In Game 1, it was clear that Huberdeau is playing facilitator, and at home this season, he has an assist in 80% of games. He has six points in the three home games against Tampa this year, including Game 1.

Kucherov also plays creator at times. He has 20 assists in his past 16 games, and in two games against Florida, he has four apples.

Really like the option to pair these guys together at +176.

Aleksander Barkov over 3.5 SOG (+120 DK)

Barkov finished Game 1 with five shots on seven attempts and has now exceeded 3.5 in two straight vs. Tampa. He's also covered this prop in five of his past six games.

This is a must-win game for Florida, in my humble opinion, and there is plenty of motivation to get pucks on net, which should start with Barkov.

Florida finished Game 1 with 34 shots as a team and should hover around that number again. Give me Barkov at plus-money here.

Ryan O'Reilly over 2.5 SOG (+135 DK)

We're going right back to our find from Game 1, and his odds as of this writing are even better than they were on Tuesday. These odds are sure to move.

Colorado has been vulnerable to shots from centers and star players have performed against them thus far in this postseason.

O'Reilly finished Game 1 with five SOG and a goal and has now covered his shots prop in five of seven playoff games.

Nathan MacKinnon over 4.5 SOG (-125 DK)

I don't really think we need to write much here, Nathan MacKinnon is operating at an absurdly high volume.

MacKinnon has exceeded six SOG in six straight games, and we get his line at just 4.5. He's pouring on double-digit attempts on the regular and Colorado had 54 shots in Game 1.

Parlay: Cale Makar and Valeri Nichuskin 3+ shots on goal (+140 FD)

We stick with that stat around Colorado piling on 54 shots and triple-dip with two guys we loaded up Tuesday.

St. Louis has allowed the third-most shots to defensemen since April 1, so in slots Makar, who finished Game 1 with four SOG. He has now covered in three of four games against the Blues this season.

Nichuskin has now covered this 2.5 line in 12 straight games, what do we need to say?

FanDuel allows you to parlay these guys from the same game, a welcomed new addition to the betting market.

Cale Makar assist (-140 DK)

We were robbed a Makar assist two periods after recording one, but I'm going right back to him despite the juice, I feel confident he can't be held down for too long.

Makar averages nearly an assist a game in 26 postseason contests, and I will be betting this on a nightly basis. I think the Avalanche pour on four or five goals Thursday night.

Brayden Schenn point (-105 DK)

I find these odds for Brayden Schenn to be quite reasonable when you consider he skates on the Blues' top line and has a point in every game against Colorado this season.

Schenn has also had his production rise on the road, recording a point in 20 of his last 26 games as the visitor.

I think the Blues can chip in a few goals Thursday, but this is a process play: -105 for a top-line guy is a bet I have to make.

Best of luck Thursday night, it's time we stack some wins and have ourselves a night in the NHL. Let's cash some bets!