The New York Islanders are struggling with their top netminder out, coming off two consecutive losses getting outscored 7-4. They'll host a red hot Washington Capitals team tonight, with the hosts coming into this contest winning five of their last six games. The Caps claimed the last meeting between those two sides by a score of 5-2, and I expect another high scoring affair tonight.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Goaltending Issues - We are likely to see Chad Johnson tend the net for the Islanders with Jaroslav Halak placed on injured reserves with a lower-body injury. Johnson is 5-5-0 with a 3.65 GAA in 10 starts this season. The Islanders other option is Kevin Poulin who conceded three goals on 26 shots at Buffalo Saturday in his first, and so far only, start this season.

2. Firepower - John Tavares is leading the Islanders with 15 goals and 31 points and is coming off a two goal performance against the Sabres. Alex Ovechkin is leading the Caps with 15 goals for the season. He has six goals and two assists in his last six against New York.

3. X-Factor - Seven of the Caps last eight versus a team with a winning record have gone over the total.

Selection: This is a play on WAS@NYI to go over the total (10*)