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Top NHL Same Game Parlay Picks for Lightning vs. Avalanche Game 1

Jordan Anderson

Last Updated: June 15, 2022 4:18 AM EDT • 1 min 64 sec read.

Cale Makar is the betting favorite in the Norris Trophy odds.
Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates a goal against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on March 8, 2022. Photo by Bruce Bennett Getty Images via AFP.

The Stanley Cup Final begins Wednesday when the Tampa Bay Lightning visit the Colorado Avalanche in Denver. Read on for our Lightning-Avalanche same-game parlay picks.

The Lightning are looking to win a third straight Stanley Cup Championship to establish their dynasty, while the Avalanche are seeking to begin their own.

We’ll certainly be in for an entertaining series. Let's break down a same-game parlay for Game 1.

Here are my same-game parlay picks for Wednesday’s Lightning-Avalanche matchup (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook; Pick confidence is based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Top NHL Same Game Parlay Picks

Avalanche (-160) ???? Under 5.5 (+125) ???Nathan MacKinnon to score (+130) ???

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NHL Same Game Parlay Predictions

Avalanche (-160)

The Avalanche have been dominant during the 2022 postseason while sweeping two of their three series. They lead all playoff teams in Corsi For percentage (CF%), goals for per 60 minutes (GF/60), and expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) with a 1.97 mark.

Meanwhile, the Lightning have looked like their old selves, aside from a lackluster opening series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Nikita Kucherov has been giving MVP-caliber performances, and goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has returned to peak form.

The Lightning lead the playoffs with 1.75 goals against per 60 minutes. They often play matchups well and execute a strong defensive game plan. However, they’re behind the Avalanche in numerous analytical categories, and Colorado is the slightly deeper team.

Back the Avs to get off to a hot start on home ice.

Under 5.5 (+125)

The Lightning are a strong defensive squad with a top-tier goaltender. Vasilevskiy has been sensational in the playoffs with a 2.27 goals-against average and 8.1 goals saved above average (GSAA).

Analytics indicate the Avalanche should be allowing fewer goals. They'll likely take a more conservative approach in Game 1 while getting a feel for the Lightning’s style of play.

The Avalanche will also get goaltender Darcy Kuemper back in net after he missed time with an eye injury. Kuemper has been subpar during the 2022 playoffs, but most have succumbed to recency bias and forget he produced a 2.54 GAA and 25.1 GSAA in the regular season. Colorado doesn't need him to be a world-beater, but Kuemper is more than capable of playing at a high level.

Between the goaltending and strong defense, look for the opening game to be low scoring.

MacKinnon to score (+130)

MacKinnon has been on fire this postseason, leading his team in goals with 11 while registering 18 points over 14 games.

He's a fiery competitor and pushes his teammates to be their best. I mean, he demanded the club remove all ice cream and pasta from the team's cafeteria, so MacKinnon is a certifiable hockey nerd.

The veteran sits third among playoff performers with an 8.6 total individual expected goals mark, and he's more likely to find the back of the net than anyone else on the team.

Combined Odds: Avalanche (-160) + Under 5.5 (+125) + MacKinnon to score (+130) = +700

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Lightning-Avalanche same game parlay picks made on 6/15/2022 at 9:02 a.m. ET.

Written By:
Jordan Anderson
Jordan Anderson is a Content Editor and Sports Betting Analyst at SportsbookReview.com. He's previously written at BettingPros and has spent most of his career in content marketing. Jordan's first love is hockey, and he covers the NHL, the NFL, and PGA. A long-time suffering Buffalo Bills fan, he is thoroughly enjoying the Bills' current wave of success before they ultimately break his heart again. Jordan holds a bachelor's degree in Sport Management from SUNY Cortland and a Master's in Integrated Marketing Communication from Marist College. You can find him watching sports and playing hockey and golf in his free time.