The New York Islanders looked like they would be contending for the top spot in the Eastern Conference, but a recent slump has seen them drop five points back of their local rival the New York Rangers for the conference lead. They've won only two of their last eight games, and a win won't come easy at United Center tonight either. Chicago is looking as solid as ever after winning four of its last five, and my money is on the home team in this match-up.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. The Islanders Lack Of Goals - It's hard to win hockey games if you score only one goal per game, a lesson the Islanders have learned first-hand of late. That's exactly what they've done over their last three games, and all three of those defeats came on home ice. They'll face one of the league's best defenses here as Chicago has allowed only 2.26 goals per game, and will have to get past Corey Crawford who is 5-0-1 with a 1.16 GAA in his last six starts.

2. Special Teams - Four of the Islanders last 13 goals have come on the man advantage, but goals on the power play will come at a premium tonight as Chicago is boasting the second best penalty kill in the NHL. The Blackhawks have had plenty of success on the man advantage themselves recently, scoring four times in 11 chances over their last two games

3. X-Factor - Patrick Sharp had gone 19 games without a goal before finding the net twice in the 6-2 win against the Sharks Saturday.

Selection: This is a play on the Chicago Blackhawks (8*)