Two Game 1s take center stage on Wednesday in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, as the Devils duel with the Hurricanes in the East and the Oilers square off against the Golden Knights in the West.
I have you covered with a player prop from each matchup. Let's dive in below.
NHL Player Props for Wednesday, May 3
Nico Hischier Anytime Goalscorer +275
| Devils vs. Hurricanes | |
| Puck Drop | 7 p.m. ET |
| Best Line | bet365 |
The downside to this angle is that by no means is Carolina a great target for opposing anytime goalscorer bets.
We can overlook that, though, with what Nico Hischier and the Devils' second unit showed against the Rangers.
Tomas Tatar, Jesper Bratt and Hischier played to a 4.58 xGoals per 60 rating in the first round. Hischier's 3.3 individual expected goals ranked 17th of all skaters in the opening round, but he was snake bitten in front of the goal and couldn't beat Igor Shesterkin.
By no means is Hischier an incompetent finisher either, as he netted 31 goals in 81 regular season games.
Generating chances at such a high rate vs. Carolina will not prove as easy, but there are some positive arguments in this specific matchup.
Frederik Andersen was not tested in Carolina's first-round matchup the way he will be by New Jersey. In the regular season, he struggled to a -3.5 GSAx and .903 save %.
I'm not convinced the stellar numbers he posted against a weak Islanders offense will continue in this series.
Evander Kane Anytime Goalscorer +190, Over 3.5 Shots on Goal +122
| Oilers vs. Golden Knights | |
| Puck Drop | 9:30 p.m. ET |
| Best Line | FanDuel |
Skating on a line with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl is the dream scenario for any NHL player, let alone one who has a very deft touch in front of the goal.
If Kane continues to tag along with the Oilers' two-headed monster at even strength, +190 to score anytime should prove to be very profitable in this series.
We don't know for certain if Kane will remain in the same role, though, so I will put this pick in depending on word from morning skate regarding the Oilers' lineups.
Kane had an incredible postseason in 2022, netting 13 goals in 15 games. He had three goals in the first round and remained a key threat.
Over the last 20 regular season games, Vegas played to a 3.12 expected goals against per 60 rating. That mark is by no means a bad one, but the take that the Knights are a defensive juggernaut is seemingly being vastly overblown.
Also, Laurent Brossoit is a starting goaltender we want to fade. He played to a .915 save % and +1.5 GSAx in the opening round, but that was against a significantly more stale Jets offense.
The top offensive stars for the Jets are nothing like what Vegas is about to see from the likes of McDavid and Draisaitl, who continue to obliterate any and all playoff competition.
But it's time to back Kane in this position, and Over 3.5 shots on goal (+122), as well.
