Kings vs. Avalanche Recap: MacKinnon's 8 Shots Lead Five Cashes

The Avalanche beat the Kings 8-4 in regulation, a 12-goal game that broke open in a six-goal second period. Brock Nelson opened the scoring on a Colorado power play at 6:33 of the 1st, Brian Dumoulin tied it for Los Angeles, and Parker Kelly put Colorado back in front at 17:58 of the 1st. Nathan MacKinnon then scored twice in the 2nd, and Artturi Lehkonen added two power-play goals. Los Angeles actually outshot Colorado 31-29, but Darcy Kuemper allowed 8 goals on 29 shots. Five DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game.

What cashed

Nathan MacKinnon 4+ shots on goal (-140 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: MacKinnon averaged 4.38 shots a game last season and hit 4+ in 65% of games on his way to 53 goals. We took the volume. - What happened: He put 8 shots on goal, 4.5 over the line, and scored twice: a power-play snap shot 23 seconds into the 2nd (0:23) and a wrist shot at 8:33 of the 2nd. He played 17:44, with 4:09 on the power play. - Worth watching: Eight shots in under 18 minutes is the kind of volume that keeps his 4+ line in play every night. The price is the thing to watch, not the role.

Avalanche moneyline (-192 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Colorado won the Presidents' Trophy at 55-16-11, swept LA in the first round last spring and outscored the Kings 13-5 in that series. numberFire made the Avs 68.8% to win. - What happened: Avalanche 8-4. Colorado never trailed. The Kings tied it in the 1st and pulled within one on Joel Armia's shorthanded goal early in the 2nd, but Colorado answered each time. - Worth watching: At -192, the price leaves little room. Colorado's edge over LA is the angle, and past -200 we would pass.

Martin Necas 1+ points (-215 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Necas had 100 points last season and a point in 74% of home games, riding with MacKinnon on the top line. - What happened: He picked up the primary assist on MacKinnon's even-strength goal at 8:33 of the 2nd, finishing with 0 goals, 1 assist and 4 shots on goal in 19:11 (4:11 on the power play). - Worth watching: The top-line link with MacKinnon is the whole angle. As long as they stay together, his points line stays live, though -215 is a steep price.

Nazem Kadri 2+ shots on goal (-210 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Kadri put 2+ shots on goal in 81% of games last season, averaging 2.77 a game. - What happened: He finished with exactly 2 shots on goal, clearing the line by 0.5. He also had 2 assists, on Nelson's power-play goal in the 1st and MacKinnon's power-play goal at 0:23 of the 2nd, in 17:57 of ice time (2:55 on the power play). - Worth watching: Two shots is the floor, not a cushion. The power-play role helps, but this one was tight.

ALT: Over 4.5 total goals (alt): CASHED - Our read: Kuemper got the start for LA after a .891 save percentage last season, and Colorado scored 3.63 goals per game. The main total was 6.5. - What happened: 12 total goals, 7.5 over the line. The fifth goal came early in the 2nd, when Joel Armia scored shorthanded at 1:28 of the 2nd to make it 3-2. - Worth watching: An alt over is a cheaper way to back a goalie mismatch. Kuemper finished at .724 on the night.

How the game played out

The second period decided it. Colorado scored four times in the 2nd, two of them on the power play, while Los Angeles answered with two shorthanded goals from Armia and Trevor Moore. Colorado scored four times on five power plays, and the Kings came up empty on four of their own. Mackenzie Blackwood made 27 saves on 31 shots for Colorado.

Trends to watch

• Colorado's power play: four power-play goals from Nelson, MacKinnon and Lehkonen (two). Kadri, Nelson and Devon Toews all picked up power-play assists.
• MacKinnon's shot volume: 8 shots on goal and 2 goals in 17:44. His shots line is the most direct way to bet the Colorado top line.
• Kings special teams: two shorthanded goals, but nothing on four power plays. Kuemper made 21 saves on 29 shots.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. Follow the rest of the season on the NHL hub, and see how an alt line shifts the price on a total.