It’s a quartet of Game 2s on the ice tonight, and the stakes are high with all four home teams winning their respective series openers.
The New York Rangers are the largest favorite in tonight's NHL odds. With so much talent on display, it's no wonder we're targeting a pair of Rangers players in our favorite NHL player props tonight. However, we're also highlighting the lone road favorite in the Colorado Avalanche as they look to pull even with the Winnipeg Jets after a combined 13-goal explosion in Game 1.
Here are our free NHL picks for Tuesday, April 23.
NHL prop picks and best bets for April 23
- Shesterkin Over 23.5 saves (-110 at Bet99)
- Lafreniere Over 0.5 points (-125 at Bet99)
- MacKinnon Over 4.5 shots (-130 at Bet99)
Picks made on 4-23 at 7:30 a.m. ET.
Read full analysis of each pick.
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Today’s NHL prop picks and best bets
Prop bet #1: Saves add up for Shesterkin
The Washington Capitals are up against it in Game 2 at Madison Square Garden, and New York Rangers No. 1 Igor Shesterkin has been as good as any goalie since the All-Star break. He’s posted an elite .930 save percentage and 2.15 GAA across 24 appearances since the pause, and I anticipate the Caps will prioritize pucks on net early and often.
While New York dominated 5-on-5 possession in Game 1 with a 57.5 Corsi For percentage, the Blueshirts are a huge favorite again, so shifting to a defense-first style with a lead is a likely game script. It should allow a few more low- to medium-danger shots for Washington and routine saves for Shesterkin.
Washington has scored two or fewer goals in 11 of its past 12 games dating back to the regular season and the game total is 5.5 with the Under carrying considerable chalk, giving me another reason to target these Igor Shesterkin odds. The Caps filling the net out of nowhere is unlikely, and Washington did show some push in Game 1 with 11 second-period shots and a 52.4 CF% at 5-on-5.
Igor Shesterkin prop: Over 23.5 saves (-110 at Bet99)
Prop bet #2: Looking to Laffy
The offensive surge continued in Game 1 of the playoffs for Rangers winger Alexis Lafreniere. He picked up a second-period assist to give him 19 points across his past 18 games, and Lafreniere only missed the scoresheet in six of those contests.
Between injuries and inexperience, the Capitals are a mess on the blue line, so the Rangers will continue driving the play to create quality scoring chances. Lafreniere was on the ice for a 66.7 Corsi For percentage and three high-danger scoring chances at 5-on-5 in Game 1, and he was on the ice with linemates Vincent Trocheck and Artemi Panarin for a 58.2 CF% and 3.75 goals per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 during the regular season.
Additionally, I’m also targeting these Alexis Lafreniere odds because Panarin is trading at a 1.5-point total and Trocheck is priced at -210 to register a point in Game 2.
Alexis Lafreniere prop: Over 0.5 points (-125 at Bet99)
Prop bet #3: Return of the MacK
It’s hard to envision Game 2 playing out as a similar high-event, high-scoring affair after the Colorado Avalanche and Winnipeg Jets combined for 13 goals, 69 shots, and 138 attempts without even going to overtime in Sunday’s Game 1.
I also find it hard to envision how Winnipeg is going to flip the switch and slow Colorado star Nathan MacKinnon down. He registered 11 attempts across 24:10 of ice time and clicked with linemates Mikko Rantanen and Zach Parise for a 65.2 Corsi For percentage at 5-on-5. MacKinnon failing to top his four Game 1 shots will be tough if he approaches double-digit attempts again in Game 2. After all, Winnipeg blocked seven of his shot attempts in Game 1.
Finally, these Nathan MacKinnon odds aren’t fully pricing in his postseason stats enough. He’s cleared this 4.5-shot total in 20 of his past 28 playoff contests while averaging 5.75 shots per game.
Nathan MacKinnon prop: Over 4.5 shots (-130 at Bet99)
Not intended for use in MA.
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