NHL Wednesday player props: 3 shooters worth backing

We have just three contests on the docket tonight after the NHL postponed the scheduled game between the Winnipeg Jets and Seattle Kraken. Luckily, there's still plenty of value on the board with player props.

Let's look at three targets that stand out from the rest.

Patrik Laine over 3.5 shots (+115)

Patrik Laine is heating up. The Finnish sniper has shot the puck quite a bit lately, generating at least four shots in six of 10 games overall and seven of his last 10 at home.

He finds himself in a mouthwatering matchup Wednesday night by playing host to the Montreal Canadiens. They've conceded more shot attempts and shots on goal than every team in the league over their previous 10 contests.

The Canadiens are struggling defensively. It just so happens that left-wing is the position they're having the most trouble with. Since the beginning of March, Montreal ranks 31st in shots allowed and 32nd in points allowed on a per-game basis. That's a 20-game sample.

Given Laine's recent form, especially at home, there's real value backing him at +115.

Zach Werenski over 3.5 shots (+115)

Yes, we're double-dipping against the Canadiens. If there's a team to target with multiple players, it's the one bleeding shots at a higher rate than any club in the NHL.

Like Laine, Zach Werenski has shot the puck a ton lately and even more so at home. Forget four shots; Werenski has fired the puck five times on net in five of his last 10 games played in Columbus. He's attempted a ton of shots in that time, and the number is only rising. Werenski has at least 10 shot attempts in three of his last four contests. That kind of volume makes a four-shot ask very reasonable in such a smash spot.

It's also worth noting that Werenski hit in both prior meetings, which were on the road. He generated 12 shots and 16 attempts over those two games.

Look for more of the same tonight.

Cale Makar over 2.5 shots (-139)

Cale Makar is shooting the lights out right now. On a team that features the likes of Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen up front, it's Makar leading the pack in shot generation over the last 10 games. He's attempted 73 shots and hit the net 41 times over that span, both a team high.

He's gone over his shot total (2.5) seven times in that 10-game span, falling just one shot shy in each of his three defeats. He's regularly hitting and in the mix to do so every time out.

The Los Angeles Kings are a strong shot suppression team. However, they're in the latter half of a road back-to-back, and Makar plays so many minutes (averaging 28 minutes of ice time over the last 10 contests) that he doesn't need to be efficient with his time.

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

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