The NHL playoffs will continue Wednesday night with a tremendous four-game slate of Game 2s.
The opening games offered some potential insight into how these matchups might look, and I'm hoping that can help us put together a strong night in the props market.
NHL Player Props for Wednesday, April 19
Matthew Tkachuk Over 3.5 Shots on Goal (-130)
| Team vs. Team | Panthers vs. Bruins |
| Puck Drop | 7 p.m. ET |
| Best Line | bet365 / DraftKings |
Tkachuk was a notable force in the first matchup of this series, which was not overly surprising considering his incredible regular season. Unsurprisingly, it was Tkachuk who broke through with Florida's only goal, and I believe we will see another excellent showing tonight.
Considering the amount of time Tkachuk spent in the offensive zone, three shots on goal from five attempts even seems quite surprising. A similarly strong game from Tkachuk would almost always result in more shots on goal, but shot props can be somewhat random, and it doesn't always shake out where a shot is the right play.
What I want most on shot props is someone who's involved and in the offensive zone often, and I think we will get that from Tkachuk tonight.
Sam Bennett is set to return tonight and will center Tkachuk's line at even strength alongside Eetu Luostarinen. In 74 minutes together at even strength, that trio combined for a tremendous 63.2% xG share and generated 3.87 xG per 60.
Tkachuk put up 4.07 shots per game in the regular season. The Bruins are a far tougher matchup than most, but odds are he could play significantly past his season average of time on ice in this huge spot.
Patrice Bergeron remaining on the sideline also helps this prop, as Tkachuk will again avoid being line matched against arguably the best defensive forward in hockey.
Tyler Seguin Over 2.5 Shots On Goal (-104)
| Team vs. Team | Wild vs. Stars |
| Puck Drop | 9:30 p.m. ET |
| Best Line | FanDuel |
Due to the unfortunate injury suffered by Joe Pavelski, Seguin is going to garner a spot on one of the best even-strength lines in hockey alongside Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson. He will also claim a spot on Dallas' strong power-play unit.
Hintz and Robertson are both elite play-drivers, and with Seguin subbed into Pavelski's role, the Stars' top unit should still generate a wealth of attempts on goal.
Seguin generated four shots on goal in Game 1 from a whopping eight attempts. Playing an extra period and a half obviously helped those marks, but what's interesting is that Seguin put up three shots on goal and six attempts after Pavelski's injury late in the second period.
My expectation is that Dallas controls much of the play tonight and that the top line will be a key part of that. Seguin has a shooter's mentality and will fire away if given opportunities.
Evan Bouchard Any Time Goal Scorer (+550)
| Team vs. Team | Kings vs. Oilers |
| Puck Drop | 10 p.m. ET |
| Best Line | FanDuel |
Since Tyson Barrie's departure at the deadline, Bouchard has become a key piece of the greatest power-play in NHL history, which clicked at 32.4% this season.
With Connor McDavid on one flank and Leon Draisaitl on the other, teams have often been forced into allowing Bouchard a little extra space at the top.
Edmonton has consistently been driving the play down low through McDavid and Draisaitl and then either looking for a play through the box or settling for a Bouchard shot from the top.
Bouchard has scored in three consecutive games and features both an elite slap shot and accurate wrister. He's likely to continue getting looks at a high rate, and I believe +550 gives us some solid value.
