The St. Louis Blues are off a 3-1 loss at Minnesota last night as they had a three game winning streak snapped. The Dallas Stars were in action Saturday as well picking up a 4-2 win at Washington and have now won five of their last six games. They've done so behind an improved defense, and I think these two teams have the tools to keep each-other quiet in what I expect to be a rather slow paced game..

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Dallas Improved Defense - The Stars have conceded only six goals over three consecutive wins. They've allowed only just over 21 shots per game on average over that span and I like their chances of taming a St. Louis offense that has mustered only two goals over its last two games.

2. Penalty Kill - Both sides penalty kill ranks among the middle of the pack in the NHL but has been extremely efficient of late. The Blues have given up only one goal on their last 24 shorthanded situations and the Stars one over their last 20.

3. X-Factor - The under is 6-2-1 over the last nine meetings at American Airlines Center.

Selection: This is a play on STL@DAL to go under the total (*9)