The Colorado Avalanche (11-6-2) visit the Ottawa Senators (11-6-2) at Canadian Tire Centre on Thursday night, with puck drop set for 7:00 PM ET. It is a great game for anyone new to same game parlays, because both teams have stars who touch the puck constantly and the lines are close to even.

A same game parlay (SGP) simply means you combine several bets from one game into a single wager. Every leg has to hit for the parlay to cash, so the smartest beginner approach is to keep it to three legs and build around things that happen often. Here is a friendly, easy-to-follow three-leg build for Avalanche at Senators.

Leg 1: Colorado Avalanche Moneyline

The moneyline is the simplest bet in hockey: pick the team that wins the game, overtime and shootouts included. Colorado is a slight favorite at roughly -120 to -125 on most books, with Ottawa around +102 to +104 at home. The market sees this as close to a coin flip with a small lean toward the visitors.

The case for Colorado starts with how they create offense. They rank third in the league in shots on goal per game, and they have won 13 of their last 19 road games. They also arrive off a 6-3 win over Toronto in which Gabriel Landeskog scored twice and Martin Necas added a goal. Ottawa is missing William Eklund, Warren Foegele and Andre Burakovsky to injury, which thins out the forward group.

The risk is real, though. Ottawa is 15-5 in its last 20 home games, and goalie Linus Ullmark has posted a .945 save percentage since returning from injured reserve. Colorado’s Mackenzie Blackwood carries a .901 save percentage, so this is the most vulnerable leg in the parlay.

Leg 2: Nathan MacKinnon Over 3.5 Shots on Goal

A shots on goal prop is a great place to start because the puck does not have to go in. The player just has to test the goalie. MacKinnon has 30 points in 18 games and 69 shots on goal this season, which works out to about 3.8 per game. Books have posted his line at 3.5, and the over is priced around +120 to +127 at the best prices, so the payout is a little better than even money.

Ottawa ranks 26th in the league in shots on goal per game, a profile that leans on goaltending rather than puck possession. That is helpful for a shooter like MacKinnon, who gets his looks when his team has the puck. Remember that you need four or more shots to cash an over 3.5, so check your book for the exact line before you bet.

Leg 3: Martin Necas Over 1.5 Shots on Goal

For a steadier third leg, look at Necas. He averages about 2.5 shots per game, has nine goals this season, and is riding a three-game, six-point scoring streak. Several books post his shots line at 2.5, with the over around +153 to +160. Many also offer a 1.5 line, which is a much safer number while you are still learning how parlays work. Lines and prices differ from book to book, so check yours.

Necas skates on the top line and power play with MacKinnon, so he sees a steady diet of chances. If you want a bigger price, you can move to the 2.5 line, but a lower number is the better choice for a beginner. To see what a combined parlay would pay on any stake, try our betting calculator.

The Full Parlay

Here is the three-leg build: Colorado Avalanche moneyline, Nathan MacKinnon over 3.5 shots on goal, and Martin Necas over 1.5 shots on goal. All three legs lean on the same idea, that Colorado controls the puck and gets its stars shooting. That is also the weakness of an SGP, because the legs are connected. If Colorado gets shut down, all three can miss together.

Combined odds change by book, since each sportsbook prices correlated legs differently. Read the final price on your own betslip before you confirm, and keep your stake small. A same game parlay is entertainment, not a sure thing, so only bet what you are comfortable losing. To compare the current board across sportsbooks, our live NHL odds page is a handy starting point.

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