Best NHL Prop Bets Today | NHL Player Props, April 17

New York Islanders vs Carolina Hurricanes

Bo Horvat U 2.5 Shots on Goal -165 (BetMGM)

The NHL Playoffs are finally upon us, and we have four games on slate today. Our first prop bet will come from the New York Islanders vs Carolina Hurricanes game. The Islanders missed the Playoffs last year but had a stronger performance this season and took the first Wild Card spot. This prop will be the safest bet of the day and involve the Islanders’ Bo Horvat. 

Horvat started the season with the Vancouver Canucks but was traded to the Islanders a few weeks before the Trade Deadline and signed an eight-year, $68 million contract extension less than a week after arriving in Long Island. Unfortunately for Horvat, his numbers have declined since joining the Islanders. The center was averaging over a point a game in Vancouver but is only averaging about half a point a game in New York. 

Horvat will finish this game will two or fewer shots. Bet on the under.

Horvat faced the Hurricanes three times this season. He failed to score a goal in all three games and took two shots in each matchup. The 28-year-old performs well against most teams, but the Hurricanes have his number. In addition, Horvat also shoots a little less when his team loses, and the Islanders are expected to lose this game. I do not recommend getting risky with this prop. Bet on the under.

Florida Panthers vs Boston Bruins 

David Pastrnak O 0.5 Assists -105 (BetMGM)

Our second prop of the day will come from the Florida Panthers-Boston Bruins game. This game will probably be pretty one-sided. This is only because the Bruins went on a historic run this season and finished with a league-leading 135 points, while the Panther nearly missed the Playoffs and finished in the second Wild Card spot. We will look at the Bruins’ David Pastrnak for this prop. 

Pastrnak had himself an incredible season this year and finished with 113 points (61 goals, 52 assists). He is by far the best player on the Bruins and incredibly talented. Not only is Pastrnak an incredible scorer, but he is also a strong passer. The winger will finish with at least one assist today. Bet on the over.

Pastrnak had at least one assist in his last four games of the regular season. He also scored in that time but not four games in a row. He will face a Panthers team he saw four times this season. In those four games, he had four goals but failed to record an assist. This may sound concerning, but I would not worry too much. Pastrnak will want to come out strong to start the Playoffs and will have a great Game 1. He will find one of his teammates and get an assist. Bet on the over.

Minnesota Wild vs Dallas Stars

Marcus Johansson U 0.5 Points -135 (BetMGM)

Our third prop bet of the day will come from the Wild-Stars game. This game will be more even than the first two. Dallas and Minnesota only finished the season five points apart from each other, so these teams are fairly evenly matched. Marcus Johansson will be the subject of this prop. Johansson started the season with the Washington Capitals and was traded to the Wild at the Trade Deadline. 

His numbers have improved significantly since arriving in Minnesota. In 60 games in Washington, Johansson had 28 points, but in 20 games in Minnesota, Johansson has 18 points. With that being said, the winger will not have any points tonight. The 32-year-old will be facing a tough defensive team in the Stars and struggle a little bit. Bet on the under.

Johannsson faced the Stars twice this season and did not have a point in either game. However, that is not my most convincing argument. The Stars only allowed 2.62 goals per game this season. They are an excellent defensive team and will not give Johansson enough chances to get a point. Bet on the under.

Los Angeles Kings vs Edmonton Oilers

Connor McDavid Anytime Goal Scorer -105 (FanDuel)

Our fourth prop bet of the day will come from the Kings-Oilers game. The Oilers made the Playoffs due to a strong second half of the season, and the Kings were in a Playoff spot all season long. This prop will involve the Oilers’ Connor McDavid. McDavid had a historic regular season and finished with 153 points (64 goals, 89 assists). He is the best player in the NHL and will likely win the Hart Memorial Trophy. The center will score at least one goal today. Bet on McDavid to be an anytime scorer. 

McDavid faced the Kings four times this season and had two goals. I realize that does not convince you to bet either way, so I will add this. The Kings have not excelled on the defensive end team all season long. They allowed 3.10 goals per game during the regular season, barely better than the league average. They will give McDavid plenty of opportunities to score, and he will do so. Bet on McDavid to be an anytime scorer.

Los Angeles Kings vs Edmonton Oilers

Trevor Moore O 2.5 Shots on Goal -130 (FanDuel)

We will stay in Edmonton for our final prop bet of the day. This prop will involve the Kings’ Trevor Moore. Moore did not excel this season for Los Angeles, but he had a decent season. The 28-year-old finished the year with 29 points (10 goals, 19 assists) in 59 games. Moore was not a prolific scorer but was also not afraid to shoot. The center will have three or more shots today. Bet on the over. 

Moore has shot three or more times in three of his previous five games. He will be facing an Oilers team that allowed 31.4 shots per game this season. Moore averaged three shots a game against them. The California native should have no problem getting three shots off. Bet on the over.