1* free play on the Tampa Lightning...

The Vancouver Canucks opened a five game road swing with a 5-1 loss at Nashville, but have won three straight since. They're off a 2-1 win at Florida last night, and won't have to travel far to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight. The Canucks have lost 12 of their last 15 games playing on back-to-back days though, and I expect them to struggle here against a Lightning team looking to build on an extended home game winning streak.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Goaltending - Ryan Miller has been hot lately, but has only started both ends of a back-to-back situation once this season and that was as early as last week. It's been plenty of hockey for 34 year old Miller lately, and that mean we should see Eddie Lack tending the net tonight. Lack was torched for four goals on 24 shots when the two teams met in the lone meeting so far this season in the season opener. My sources is telling me that the Lightning will go with Ben Bishop, who has dominated the Nucks over previous meetings going 3-0-0 behind a 2.33 GAA.

2. Home Cookin - The Lightning are tied with the Blues and the Predators for the league lead with their 18 wins on home ice. They've had plenty of success over recent games, going undefeated over their last seven at Amalie Arena.

3. X-Factor - Steven Stamkos is leading the Lightning with his 26 goals. He's scored five goals over his last five appearances and tallied two goals and one assist in the first match-up with the Nucks this season.

Selection: This is a play on the Tampa Bay Lightning (free)