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The Colorado Avalanche were not rusty in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Colorado jumped all over the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first period and, despite giving up a two-goal lead, were full value for their win at Ball Arena on Wednesday night.

Colorado’s high-tempo offense looked potent and Tampa Bay’s defense and all-world goaltender, Andrei Vasilevskiy, took some time to get settled.

But if we’ve learned anything about this Lightning team over the past three seasons, it’s that it won’t be fazed by the idea of being down 1-0 to the Stanley Cup favorites. Bettors should expect a stronger performance from the Lightning in Game 2 on Saturday, which should lead to some value across derivative markets as well.

With that in mind, here are some player props worth considering:

Brandon Hagel first goal scorer (25/1) and anytime goal scorer (+360):

With only two goals (one an empty-netter) to his name this postseason, it may sound like a fool’s errand to back Hagel to get on the scoresheet in Game 2, but that lack of production has provided some value on a player who is among the best in the playoffs at creating high-quality scoring chances.

Of all players in the postseason, Hagel ranks fourth in high-danger scoring chances, ninth in scoring attempts off the rush and ninth in individual expected goals.

Hagel is a little banged up and is playing on a defense-first line, but he’s still getting looks and it’s only a matter of time before one of them goes in the back of the net.


  Andrei Vasilevskiy makes the save during Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday. Getty Images Andrei Vasilevskiy makes the save during Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday. Getty Images

Vasilevskiy to record a shutout (14/1):

For the first period of Game 1, Vasilevskiy looked human. In the first 10 minutes alone, the reigning Conn Smythe winner allowed two soft goals and was beaten by a bad-angle shot that clipped the post. But after the intermission, Vasilevskiy seemed to settle in and snapped right back into form.

Over the last two periods and overtime in Game 1, Vasilevskiy allowed one goal on 22 shots and 11 high-danger scoring chances. In other words, if he didn’t find his rhythm, the Lightning would have had their doors blown off by an Avalanche offense that was buzzing.

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And as poor as the Lightning looked defensively throughout the contest, it’s hard not to be confident they will make the necessary adjustments to slow the game down. Tampa Bay has proven to be masterful at adjusting on the fly in playoff series, so it’s very possible that we’ve already seen Colorado’s best offensive performance in this series.

With a better defensive game plan and Vasilevskiy in the groove from the drop of the puck, the Lightning could frustrate an Avalanche team that has played just one game in almost two weeks.

This is a bet that is always tough to cash, but getting 14/1 on the best goalie in the world to pitch a shutout is always worth a look.

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