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NHL Thursday player props: 3 shot totals worth backing

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Wednesday night was a good one for our shot props as we once again won two of three.

We'll look to keep the ball rolling with three more plays for Thursday night's big slate.

Mark Stone over 2.5 shots (+105)

Mark Stone currently finds himself in a nice little shooting stretch. He has generated at least three shots in eight of his last 10 games, averaging a healthy 3.4 during that span.

Unlike many star players, his volume doesn't seem to be impacted by the location of the contest. Stone has hit in four of five road games this season, falling just one short - missing the net three times - in the lone exception. He is consistently getting the job done.

Although the Sabres have done a good job of limiting shot volume of late, they have still struggled with right-wingers. On a per-game basis, only the Blackhawks have allowed more shots to the position.

At plus money, there's value in backing a red-hot Stone to get it done.

Nathan MacKinnon over 4.5 shots (-128)

Death, taxes, and backing Nathan MacKinnon at home. The Avalanche's star pivot has been a shooting machine in Colorado. Dating back to last season, he has registered at least five shots in 30 of 41 games, good for a 72% success rate.

There are plenty of reasons to like him beyond his general home success. The Predators are not defending well right now, sitting bottom 10 in five-on-five shot suppression over the last eight games.

It's also worth noting MacKinnon has enjoyed a lot of success against the laboring Predators in the past. Playoffs included, MacKinnon faced Nashville seven times last season and generated at least five shots in six of those games, averaging 6.6 per.

Evan Rodrigues under 2.5 (+125)

Evan Rodrigues isn't much of a shooter but, for some reason, he continues to be priced like one.

The journeyman pivot has gone over this shot total just three times through 11 games this season. Two of those hits came when, due to the Avs' injuries, Rodrigues was playing more than 20 minutes per night and skating on the top line alongside MacKinnon.

Rodrigues is back to his usual spot on the second line with Martin Kaut and Alex Newhook. Not only does that mean a healthy reduction in minutes, but he won't have the same talent around him to dominate the opposition.

Excluding games where Rodrigues logged more than 20 minutes, he has gone over the shot total just one time in eight tries. I'm happy to back the under again at this price.

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

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