Today’s NHL Prop Picks and Best Bets: Back Byfield in Game 4

Prop bet #1: Artturi Lehkonen Over 0.5 points

The Colorado Avalanche are led by their big guns up front, but it’s been Artturi Lehkonen stepping up in the playoffs for the Avs. Lehkonen finished the regular season with 34 points in 45 games, including a point in eight of his final nine games.

Lehkonen has continued that here in the postseason with two-point outings in Games 1 and 2 before scoring a goal in Game 3. He’s playing on the second line with veteran Zach Parise and trade deadline addition Casey Mittelstadt.

The second-line winger has generated 14 shot attempts at 5-on-5 play which includes nine scoring chances. He also joins the big dogs on the top power-play unit, where he’s had nine scoring chances and one goal.

This series has been a high-scoring one, with Connor Hellebuyck not playing up to his potential in the postseason.

I’m expecting more of the same in Game 4 with the Avalanche at home. Lehkonen had 20 points in 23 home games during the regular season as opposed to 14 points in 22 road games. We’re laying some juice here with these Artturi Lehkonen odds, but you could just take him to score a goal, as he's done so in each game of this series.

Artturi Lehkonen prop: Over 0.5 points (-180 at BET99)

Prop bet #2: J.T. Miller Over 2.5 shots on goal

Vancouver Canucks center J.T. Miller is one of three strong pivots down the middle. He centers the top line alongside Pius Suter and Brock Boeser and is on the top power-play unit as well.

Miller filled the scoresheet in Game 3 in Nashville with a goal, an assist, and six shots on goal. This came after he had three shots on goal in Game 2 and none in Game 1 — although he did have an assist and five total shot attempts to open the series.

The center’s shot attempts have increased in every game this series, which isn't abnormal for Miller, who has gone Over 2.5 shots on goal in seven of his last 10 games dating back to April 2.

The Canucks are without starting goalie Thatcher Demko, yet they’ve been struggling offensively as well. Miller is one of just a few Vancouver forwards who has been contributing, but we could see Rick Tocchet employ a more aggressive plan in Game 4 after his team had a combined 30 shots on goal in the last two games.

J.T. Miller prop: Over 2.5 shots on goal (-125 at BET99)

Prop bet #3: Quinton Byfield Over 0.5 assists

The Los Angeles Kings put Quinton Byfield back on the top line with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe, and it’s paid off for them. They still trail 2-1 in the series to the Oilers, but Byfield has recorded an assist in every game this series, with four total helpers. 

The Oilers are favorites in Game 4, but the total is set at 6.5 after three high-scoring games to open the series. The Kings were held to just one goal on Friday night after putting up nine through the first two contests. Byfield has enjoyed playing against the Oilers in his young career, recording a helper in eight straight meetings.

Much like the Canucks, the Kings should be forced to abandon their defensive style to keep up with Edmonton. They did that for a 5-4 overtime win in Game 2 after putting up four goals in Game 1. Los Angeles should be desperate to even the series and that means more offense from the top line — providing great value on Quinton Byfield's odds.

Quinton Byfield prop: Over 0.5 assists (+160 at BET99)