NHL Wednesday best bets: Hughes to remain perfect at home

Tuesday was a solid night on the ice. Between best bets and player props, we won three of five plays.

Elias Lindholm missed the net four times and lost on the hook, while the Devils and Jets couldn't stay under 6.5 goals despite nobody finding the back of the net until the 28th minute. Hockey!

We'll take the profit and look to build on it with three more plays for Wednesday's card.

Nathan MacKinnon over 4.5 shots

MacKinnon isn't generating shots like we're accustomed to. He's gone under his total in nine of 14 games, including four of six at home - where he's usually so dominant.

The good news for MacKinnon is he finds himself in the ultimate get-right spot Wednesday night against the Ducks.

The Ducks are competitive this year, but that has more to do with dynamic young attackers and great goaltending than stout defense. They still give up a lot of shots and chances. They also take a ton of penalties.

No team has been penalized more than the Ducks this season. They're taking nearly five minors per game, which is more than half a penalty clear of the next closest team.

The Ducks are also in the latter half of a road back-to-back after a taxing comeback win against the Predators on Tuesday night.

If ever there was a time for MacKinnon to dominate the puck and pile up the shots like in years past, this is it.

Odds: -130 (playable to -145)

Noah Dobson under 2.5 shots

Dobson is not it on the road. He's averaging four attempts per game away from home this season, a far cry from the 6.8 he's piled up on Long Island.

It's still early in the year, but it's safe to say this will be a recurring theme. Dobson recorded three or more shots in just 38% of his road games last season, and his attempt volume was noticeably worse on the road.

Although Dobson will still get the job done on occasion, he figures to be in tough against the Canucks.

Vancouver has played terrific defense at home this season. Believe it or not, only the Hurricanes and Rangers have conceded fewer shots on goal per 60 at five-on-five.

The Canucks don't take a ton of penalties, and the Islanders rank 31st in power-play opportunities per game. This doesn't seem like a spot in which New York will have many power plays to help Dobson get over the hump.

Odds: -110 (playable to -140)

Quinn Hughes over 2.5 shots

Death, taxes, and backing Hughes at home. He's been automatic in Vancouver this season, going over his shot total in all six games while averaging a whopping eight attempts.

That's the kind of output you'd expect from a premium goal-scorer with a shot total of 3.5 or 4.5 every single night. Getting such volume from a defender with a 2.5-shot line is a huge bonus.

The Islanders rank third last in shots against per game and have fared even worse away from home.

They've also given up a ton of offense to opposing defenders, allowing more shots to the position than all but the lowly Sharks.

Hughes won't remain perfect forever, but this is a prime matchup for him to extend his streak.

Odds: -130 (playable to -150)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ToddCordell.