Two Eastern Conference foes will do battle tonight as the Florida Panthers are hosting the New York Islanders. The visitors are sitting top of the Metropolitan Division, much thanks to an offense that ranks second in the NHL. The Panthers are in a more peculiar situation, currently residing outside a play off spot but still within striking distance. Injuries have made it impossible for the Panthers to rely on a solid D to win their games of late, and I think we'll see both teams come out all guns blazing here.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. The Panthers Goaltending Situation - With both Roberto Luongo and Al Montoya indispensable the Panthers are turning to veteran Dan Ellis to make his second start of the season. He conceded three goals on 32 shots against the Stars in his season debut a couple of days ago and he'll have his work cut out for him here facing an Islanders offense that averages 3.09 goals per game.

2. Recent Meetings - Both the first two meetings this season climbed over the total as the Islanders first won 4-3 in a shootout in Florida and the Panthers equalized the series with a 4-2 win at Nassau. Overall has eight of the last 11 meetings gone over the total.

3. X-Factor - The Islanders Anders Lee is on a three game point streak and netted a pair of goals when the teams faced off about a month ago.


Selection: This is a play on the Isles@Panthers to go OVER the total (*10)