NHL Thursday player props: 3 forwards to target

Wednesday was a solid bounce-back night for our shot totals as we were one Jonathan Huberdeau shot from a 3-0 outing. At any rate, a winning night is a winning night.

We'll take the victory and look for another on a night full of elimination games.

Mitch Marner over 2.5 shots (-157)

Marner let us down last time out, but it wasn't for a lack of opportunities. He attempted six shots in Game 5 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, hitting the net only twice. Among the misses were a breakaway and a one-timer in the wheelhouse that saw his stick shatter to erase any chance of a shot.

We won't abandon a promising process because of an unlucky result. So we're going right back to Marner in Game 6.

The Toronto Maple Leafs' star winger has enjoyed plenty of success against the Lightning this season, operating with a 63% hit rate while averaging four shots per game over eight meetings.

Toronto leans heavily on Marner under normal circumstances. With a chance to close out a series against the back-to-back champions - and earn an extra few rest days in the process - he could get even more run.

Adrian Kempe over 3.5 shots (-130)

Kempe is a man possessed right now. He's averaged a whopping 5.1 shots per game over his last 10 contests, including 5.4 in this series against the Edmonton Oilers.

He's hit in four of five postseason games so far, falling but one puck short in the lone exception. Success against the Oilers is nothing new for Kempe; he's had their number all season long.

Kempe has hit in seven of the Los Angeles Kings' nine games versus Edmonton (regular-season and playoffs) while averaging five shots on target per game. He's not just sneaking by; there's generally wiggle room.

The Kings are playing for a spot in Round 2 and will have the ability to get Kempe on the ice for ideal matchups against a Darnell Nurse-less Oilers team. His success should continue.

Leon Draisaitl over 3.5 shots (+120)

There's nothing like backing star players in do-or-die spots. They see more run than usual and everything funnels through them. That makes Draisaitl very attractive.

While he's failed to register four shots in three consecutive games, two of them were blowout victories in which he played 15 minutes or less. He has hit in two of his three games with at least 20 minutes of ice time, falling one short in the exception.

It seems unlikely that a road elimination game will be a blowout spot for the Oilers. Draisaitl should see a ton of ice time in this spot, and you can bet he'll be looking to make his mark and avoid another early exit for the Oilers.

With an implied 45% chance of recording four shots, there is value to be had backing Draisaitl.

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

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