The Colorado Avalanche host the Vegas Golden Knights at Ball Arena tonight while bringing a reliable rhythm into this matchup, securing eight wins across their last nine games while averaging 32.6 shots and 4.1 goals per contest. Vegas arrives in Denver with plenty of postseason miles already, holding an 8-4 record over 12 playoff games and surrendering just 2.5 goals per night.

As an Avs fan who keeps a close eye on the prop market, this intersection of Colorado’s consistent offensive production and Vegas’s defensive structure offers a few clear angles, especially given the fact that superstar defenseman Cale Makar will miss Game 1 with an undisclosed injury. The Avalanche have been controlling the pace in the playoffs, maintaining a 51.3 percent faceoff win rate and converting 25.0 percent of their power-play opportunities. Matching that up against a Golden Knights penalty kill operating at 86.8 percent means we need to look carefully at the data to find value, especially knowing that the Avs will be without Makar’s ability to both facilitate and create on the power play. The Avalanche are much more than just Makar, however, and there are still a couple of notable opportunities to back Colorado’s core contributors.

Nathan MacKinnon Over 1.5 Total Points (-108)

Taking Nathan MacKinnon to record multiple points is a standard starting point when Colorado’s offense is clicking. With the Avalanche averaging over four goals per game in this current run, their top center is naturally the primary engine for that production. He dictates the pace of the game better than almost anyone, and against a Vegas team that relies heavily on a structured defensive scheme, his ability to force the issue in transition is vital. MacKinnon consistently breaks down set defenses with his speed and vision, creating a persistent matchup problem for the Golden Knights, with or without Makar on the ice.

While Vegas has played well defensively through their postseason schedule, holding opponents to an average of 2.5 goals, Colorado’s top line presents a distinct challenge. Given the Avalanche’s efficiency on the man-advantage, MacKinnon will get ample opportunities to factor into the scoring. When the team generates high-danger chances and capitalizes on special teams, the offense runs right through his stick. Expect him to be a disruptive presence on the scoresheet tonight as Colorado maintains the offensive momentum they have built during this stretch.

Artturi Lehkonen Over 0.5 Total Points (+114)

Finding value down the lineup is a necessary strategy in postseason hockey, and Artturi Lehkonen consistently provides a steady, opportunistic presence for the Avalanche. He operates effectively in the difficult areas of the ice, recovering loose pucks along the boards and keeping offensive plays alive for his linemates. With Colorado producing at an efficient level, getting involved in a single scoring play is a manageable task for a player trusted with crucial minutes by the coaching staff. Expected to be healthy for tonight’s Game 1, Lehkonen’s work rate ensures he is usually near the puck when scoring chances materialize.

What makes Lehkonen especially appealing tonight is his situational deployment. He is a frequent fixture on the power-play, where Colorado has found plenty of success lately, and without Makar, players like Lehkonen will have to pick up the slack tonight. While the Golden Knights boast a strong penalty kill, the Avalanche possess the high-end talent to crack it, and Lehkonen is often the one stationed directly around the crease to clean up rebounds or tap in loose pucks. Trusting him to find the scoresheet is a smart way to invest in Colorado’s depth and special teams advantage without solely relying on the heavy favorites at the top of the roster.

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Sportradar Content Studio contributed to this story.