Monday`s schedule for the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs features two significant matchups. The Tampa Bay Lightning are on the road attempting to level their Eastern Conference first-round series at two games apiece against the reigning champion Florida Panthers. In the Western Conference, the Dallas Stars are hosting the Colorado Avalanche for Game 5 in a series currently tied 2-2.
The “Battle of Florida” saw Tampa Bay drop the initial two contests at home before securing a convincing 5-1 road victory in Game 3 on Saturday. Nick Paul broke a 1-1 deadlock in the second period, and the Lightning netted three goals in the third period to widen the gap and avoid a daunting 3-0 series deficit.
After a decisive Game 1 win in Dallas, the Avalanche experienced consecutive overtime losses but demonstrated resilience with a dominant 4-0 win on Saturday. Mackenzie Blackwood stopped all 23 shots for his inaugural career postseason shutout. Team captain Gabriel Landeskog, in just his second NHL appearance since Colorado`s 2022 championship win, registered a goal and an assist.
Drawing on a successful run of picks throughout this postseason, here are some players who present potential value for prop bets in Monday`s playoff games:
Best Bets
Jake Guentzel (Lightning) – Potential for Anytime Goal: Guentzel tallied his second goal of the series and added two assists in Tampa Bay`s Game 3 win. Despite taking a significant late hit, he appeared unaffected afterward. Given his performance and motivation, Guentzel is a prime candidate to find the back of the net in Game 4 as the Lightning push to even the series.
Brayden Point (Lightning) – Potential for an Assist: While Point has scored in two of the first three games against Florida, he has yet to record an assist in the series. However, the 29-year-old center is a reliable playmaker, having reached the 40-assist mark for the third consecutive season in 2024-25. He recorded three assists against Florida in last year`s playoffs and is likely to be involved in setting up goals for the Lightning on Monday.
Nathan MacKinnon (Avalanche) – Potential for Anytime Goal: MacKinnon is tied for the playoff goal scoring lead with four goals through Colorado`s first four games, already matching his total from last year`s 11-game run. Scoring against the Stars is familiar territory for MacKinnon, who has 11 goals in 17 career playoff contests versus Dallas. Three of his goals in this series have come on the power play, suggesting he will have scoring chances when penalties occur.
Best Longshot
Cale Makar (Avalanche) – Potential for Multiple Assists: Makar has had a relatively quiet offensive series so far, with only two assists through four games. However, the dynamic 26-year-old defenseman and former Conn Smythe winner has recorded multiple assists 12 times in his postseason career. Although Dallas has limited him in recent meetings, Makar has 61 assists in 76 NHL playoff games and is poised to make a significant offensive contribution for the Avalanche in Game 5.
Elton Marrow