8* SURE SHOT SPECIAL on Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Detroit Red Wings and the Tampa Bay Lightning will get the NHL Conference Quarterfinals started with a match-up at Amalie Arena Wednesday night. The Lightning were very solid in front of the home-town crowd during the regular-season and I think they'll make the most of the home-advantage tonight.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Previous Meetings - Detroit won the first two meetings of the season home in Motor City but lost the subsequent meetings at Amalie Arena, the most recent a 6-2 defeat on March 22. They've lost on eight of their last 10 visits to Tampa Bay and the Lightning could have a psychological advantage as they won last season's playoff series in seven games.

2. Preparations - The Lightning could cruise into the playoffs while Detroit clinched a playoff berth only on the second-to-last day of the regular season. The intensity in the playoffs will be something else than the regular-season lull, and the more rested Lightning should be able to out-skate the Wings.

3. X-Factor - Tampa Bay's veteran Brad Richards finished the regular-season with only a total of 28 points in 60 games, but he has 36 goals and 68 assists in 141 playoff games.

Selection: This is a play on the Tampa Bay Lightning (8*)