The New York Islanders have a monumental contest against the Washington Capitals on Monday night.

The magic number for the Isles to get into the postseason is down to three points with two games remaining on their schedule, and if they get two points in D.C., there is a chance they clinch a spot on Tuesday night if the Pittsburgh Penguins lose to the Chicago Blackhawks. 

The Isles are a -154 road favorite over the Caps.

(7 p.m. ET., ESPN+)

Motivation is a tricky thing to handicap in professional sports, but there are some times when it needs to be considered.

For the Washington Capitals, a veteran team with a core that’s going to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2013-14 and just the second time since 2006-07, it is fair to wonder where everyone’s head is at for a meaningless game against a heavy, physical team. 

On the other hand, you know what kind of effort you will get out of the Isles in this spot.

The Islanders were able to impose their will over the Tampa Bay Lightning and Philadelphia Flyers in a two-game homestand last week and will rely on their effort, goaltending and structure to do the same thing in this spot. 

You can also count on the Islanders to try and do everything they can to keep this game from getting off the rails.

The Isles are a team built to outlast, not outscore, their opposition.

The margins can be thin playing that style, but the Islanders don’t have the offensive firepower to keep up with most teams in a back-and-forth tilt.

Washington has a couple of key players (Alex Ovechkin, T.J. Oshie, Anthony Mantha) questionable for Monday night.

However, this team still has enough skill to give the Islanders plenty to think about. 

After scoring just one goal over a three-game span at the turn of the month, the Isles have responded with 10 scores in their last two wins.

But counting on that offensive output to carry into this game feels risky.

These two teams met just under two weeks ago in a cagey, 2-1 shootout win for the Islanders.

While the Isles will certainly want more breathing room than that on Monday, this game does feel like it should be pretty low-event considering how the visitors want to play and that the Caps could be without Ovechkin and Oshie.

Instead of just backing a side in this Metropolitan Division clash, bettors can look to a same-game parlay for some upside.

The Isles are deserving favorites given the respective forms of these two teams and Ilya Sorokin’s presence in goal, but it’s hard to envision this one getting too out of hand.

Rope in the Under 5.5 with the Isles moneyline for a nice price in this crucial contest.

Islanders/Under 5.5 same-game parlay (+212, FanDuel)