NHL Wednesday player props: Nylander to fire at home

Another day, another 2-1 effort for our shot props. Dougie Hamilton and Noah Dobson pulled through for us Tuesday, while Jordan Kyrou came up a couple short at home.

We’ll look to keep the train moving in the right direction with three more plays for Wednesday’s slate.

William Nylander over 3.5 shots (-120)

Nylander is on a nice little shooting run. The ultra-talented winger has recorded at least four shots in 13 of the last 20 games – good for 65%.

There’s every reason to believe he can continue his success Wednesday against the Blackhawks.

For starters, the matchup is quite enticing. Chicago is a poor defensive team that spends a lot of time absorbing pressure in its own zone. It’s a nice positional spot for Nylander as well, as only six teams have allowed more shots per game to right-wingers this season.

Nylander does his best work on home ice, with his hit rate 8% higher in Toronto. He also expects to welcome Auston Matthews back to his line in this game.

Nylander’s shot generation numbers are noticeably higher with Matthews on his line than with someone like Alexander Kerfoot. The latter is more of a pass-first player, but the Leafs don’t tilt the ice anywhere close to the same level as they do with Matthews in his place.

Coming off a disappointing showing against the Blue Jackets, Toronto will no doubt come out with purpose and spend a lot of time on the front foot in this one. Nylander should have ample opportunity to go over his shot total.

Nikita Kucherov over 3.5 shots (+105)

Kucherov – like many offensive players – is a more consistent shooter at home. Even so, I believe he’s worth backing on the road against the Coyotes.

Arizona isn’t a good defensive team at five-on-five, and, perhaps more importantly, it takes a lot of penalties. No club has spent more time shorthanded this season. The same can be said if we isolate the Coyotes’ last 10 games.

Kucherov takes a lot of shots on the power play. With the Lighting having played Tuesday, those easy offensive special-team opportunities may be necessary to get the job done. Kucherov should get plenty of those against this undisciplined Coyotes side.

Kucherov has played against Arizona once this season. He attempted 11 shots and hit the target five times during the meeting. I expect another productive outing this time around.

Tage Thompson over 3.5 shots (-125)

The Ducks continue to bleed shots each and every night. Although Anaheim won five of the last 10 games, it conceded more shots and attempts than anybody in the league during that time.

As has been the case all season, the Ducks have struggled most against the center position. No NHL team has allowed more shots per game to centers, and it’s not even close. Anaheim has given up 14.66 shots to centers, while the team behind it sits at 12.75.

Thompson is a puck-dominant center who isn’t shy about pulling the trigger when the chance presents itself. He should control the middle of the ice against this horrendous Ducks team and send more than his fair share of rubber John Gibson’s way.

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.