Detroit at Tampa Bay

Steve Yzerman will welcome the Red Wings into his house for the first time since being named GM of the Lightning. Two first place teams will collide in Tampa as both can use the game as a measuring stick for how they match up against the other Conference's top teams.

The Red Wings once again prove that they are one of the best run franchises in all of sports. They haven't missed the playoffs since the 89-90 season. An incredible streak. They come off back to back wins against the Bruins, one of the East's other division leaders.

After a couple of seasons of missing the playoffs, the Lightning are 2nd in the Eastern Conference and feel confident that they can make a run. The acquisition of Dwayne Roloson has paid off. Roli has 4 shutouts already for the Bolts. Steven Stamkos is starting to make a case that he should be considered as the leagues best sniper, already with 40 goals this season.

Should be a good one in Tampa but the Wings 7-3-1 record vs. the Eastern Conference and greater depth in the West, leads us to believe that the Wings are the better team and they will show it.

Pick: Detroit -110

Wednesday Prediction

Look for Blackhawks to win in Minnesota for Ailing Coach

The Pick: Chicago -185 over Minnesota

The big news earlier today was that Chicago head coach Joel Quenneville is hospitalized and in stable condition. The best information we have heard is that he is being treated for a undisclosed health concern. Perhaps this serves as extra motivation for the Stanley Cup Champions who are sitting four points out of a playoff position. Chicago has won only one game in regulation in their last five and return home after a six game road trip. The Blackhawks last home game was ironically a loss to tonight's opponent the Minnesota Wild 4-2. The Wild played at home last night losing to Vancouver 4-1. Minnesota has won five of their last seven road games and are only one point out of a playoff spot. Still this is as close to a must-win game as there is in the month of February for the Chicago Blackhawks. Look for them to inch closer to the playoffs by winning at home tonight.

Tuesday Prediction

Dallas Stars look to sweep season series over lowly Edmonton Oilers

Prediction: Dallas -130 over Edmonton

The Dallas Stars find themselves in second place in the Pacific Division after dropping five of their last six games. The good news for the Stars is that they defeated tonights opponent three times in the month of January. Dallas has won only three games since January 18th and two of those wins were against the Oil. This is the start of a key three game Western Canada road trip for the Stars who should welcome getting on the road after struggling on their recent homestand. The Stars will be without leading scorer Brad Richards for at least the next two games. Perhaps that will motivate the rest of their forwards to step up their game.

Edmonton is playing their fourth of a six game homestand and have lost the previous three and netted only four goals in that span. Trade rumors are flying in Edmonton as Ales Hemsky and Dustin Penner appear to be on the block. The Oilers have the fewest points in the league with 40 and have given up a league high 200 goals. Take Dallas to sweep the season series.