New York Islanders center Bo Horvat (14). Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

NHL bets: Playoff motivation continues to guide our plus-money plays

By Griffin Carroll | Last updated 4/11/24

We're having a good week on the ice with our NHL player props, and the engine there is tightening up our looks and focusing in on games that matter. There are a few such situations tonight as the Eastern Conference playoff race heats up, and we'll follow a pair of home teams to get some offense going.

Bo Horvat & Noah Dobson 1+ point each (+148 DraftKings)

The Islanders are rolling right now, winners of five straight games. This streak has come at an opportune time and has positioned them in third place in the Metro Division.

The work is not done yet, with both Washington and Pittsburgh just a few points back, so I have no doubt New York won't let up here at home against the Habs.

Montreal is allowing 3.4 goals per game on the road over the last month and a half, and the Isles typically find 3+ goals when they face off against the Canadiens.

I like pairing these two to get involved.

Horvat has five points in his past five games, nine in his last nine at home and eight in his past eight matchups with Montreal.

Dobson has four points in his last three and absolutely loves facing the Canadiens, piling up 12 points in the last six meetings.

Erik Karlsson over 2.5 SOG & point (+166 ESPN BET)

Speaking of playoff motivation, no game has higher stakes than this Pittsburgh vs. Detroit game tonight. This is basically a playoff game for two teams fighting for that final Wild Card spot in the East.

While that may elicit a tighter game, the numbers and past matchups suggest goals are coming, and I prefer the Penguins to do the lifting there at home.

I'm going to double-dip on a productive game from Erik Karlsson, as Pittsburgh should also find shots here against a Detroit team allowing 36.0 shots per game on the road across the last 45 days.

The Red Wings are allowing the fourth-most shots to defensemen over the past 10 games, so enter Karlsson.

Karlsson has 3+ shots in four of his last five at home and just had five SOG in Toronto three days ago. He has five points in his past four games, including a three-assist outing the last time Pittsburgh was at home.

The kicker on Karlsson is his history against Detroit.

Karlsson has 4+ shots in four of his last five vs. the Red Wings, and he's logged an impressive 10 points in his past four matchups.

I'll gladly pair the two props together at this price.

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