NHL playoff bets: Time for the home teams to make it a series

The theme of tonight in the NHL is backing a pair of home teams to avoid an 0-3 hole, or at the very least, score some goals in an attempt to make this a series.

Win or lose, I'm backing a pair of players to get in on the score sheet tonight as we focus in tonight's hosts on the ice.

Anthony Duclair point (+115 ESPN BET)

I'm expecting Tampa Bay to get up and win this game, so naturally I'd like to get some point props in my pocket. 

I'm liking the price on Duclair to get involved on Tampa's top line with Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov, and yes, I definitely considered a parlay on Point point and Kucherov assist instead, but let's just get us some good old fashioned straights.

Duclair had an assist in Game 2 off a redirect from Brayden Point in front of the net, and he now has seven points in his last nine games and three in his past three at home.

Consider also that Florida traded Duclair over the summer. He has two points in three games against them since joining the Lightning.

Kyle Palmieri point (+102 FanDuel)

Tuesday's game was such a demoralizing loss for the Islanders, and while there's a chance they completely fold here, I think it's more likely that they find a way to win at home and avoid going down 0-3.

Last year in the first round these two teams met, and New York returned home in the same position and won the game, 5-1.

Kyle Palmieri was a big factor that day, notching a goal and an assist. 

The Isles winger had a point in Game 2 and now has 11 points in his past nine games and points in four straight at home and 12 in his past 11 in New York.

At this price, I'll gladly back Palmieri to get involved tonight, and I do expect it to be a goal, as 11 of those aforementioned 12 points are goals. You can find that at +250 if you'd like to roll the dice.