NHL Tuesday player props: MacKinnon to feast on Penguins

We started the week in strong fashion, going 2-1 with player props. Although Nikita Kucherov missed the net five times and fell one shot shy as a result, Jack Hughes and Jason Robertson took care of business to ensure it was a profitable night.

Let's take a look at three skaters that stand out on Tuesday.

Nathan MacKinnon over 4.5 shots (-110)

This year's Penguins aren't nearly as tight defensively as we've grown accustomed to seeing under Mike Sullivan. They give up quite a bit of shot volume on a nightly basis, especially to centers. Believe it or not, only the Ducks have conceded more shots per game to the position this season.

That has to be music to the ears of MacKinnon, one of the NHL's best at generating shots in bulk, as does the fact that Valeri Nichushkin will return to the lineup on Tuesday night. MacKinnon has generated more shots per minute with Nichushkin on his line than anybody else he's skated with regularly this season.

Nichushkin's two-way prowess should allow for the Avalanche to control more of the puck, and it's always on MacKinnon's stick when they're in possession. Likely heading for 22-plus minutes in an advantageous matchup, MacKinnon is a worthwhile target on Tuesday night.

Zach Hyman over 3.5 shots (+120)

Hyman has quietly been piling up the shots of late. He has registered 68 attempts over the last 10 games, which puts him only five back of Connor McDavid for the Oilers' team lead. If we focus on five-on-five, Hyman is actually level with McDavid atop the team.

That's important because the Red Wings are a very disciplined team. For all their faults, they don't take many penalties. That means Hyman will likely need to do a lot of the heavy lifting at full strength - something he has shown the ability to do.

What I also like about Hyman, a Michigan alum, is that the Red Wings bleed shots to right-wingers. Of all positions, that's where they rank lowest when it comes to shot suppression.

Averaging nearly 21 minutes per game while riding shotgun on the top line and top power play, Hyman should get all the opportunity in the world to capitalize on a strong matchup.

Alex Pietrangelo over 2.5 shots (-132)

The Predators are really struggling defensively. In fact, only the Ducks, Blackhawks, and Coyotes - three teams in the Connor Bedard sweepstakes - have let rubber get to their goaltender more frequently over the last 10 games.

These struggles are nothing new as, on the season, the Predators rank bottom six in limiting shots to every single position. That's right: They're giving up volume from anywhere and everywhere.

Pietrangelo plays big minutes at even strength, quarterbacks the top power play (even with Shea Theodore healthy again), and isn't impacted by home and road splits. His volume is steady.

He has feasted on the Predators of late, too, generating 29 attempts (nearly 10 per game) across three meetings in 2022.

I expect another productive night from Pietrangelo coming out of the All-Star break.

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