The red hot Nashville Predators will pay the reeling Calgary Flames a visit Wednesday night. The Preds have won all but one of their past eight games, an overtime loss against the Devils, while Calgary has mustered only one win in its last nine contests. Almost everything suggest we'll see the road-team prevail, and I think we're getting a fair price on the Predators.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Nashville's Offense - The Preds have averaged 4.6 goals per game through their last five contests and Craig Smith has five goals and five assists during that span with at least one point in each game. The Flames are giving up 3.1 goals per game on the season, the second worst mark in the NHL.

2. Road Warriors - The Predators have opend a five-game trip with a pair of victories at Colorado and Winnipeg to make it a phenomenal 10 wins in their last 11 away from home. The road team is 5-1 in the past six meetings in the series and the Flames have dropped five of their last six in front of the home town crowd.

3. X-Factor - Calgary has confirmed that Joni Ortio will get the nod in net. He's 1-6-3 with a 3.04 GAA in eight starts and three relief appearances this season.

Selection: This is a play on the Nashville Predators (8*)