The set-up: The 19-8-4 Chicago Blackhawks will take on the 11-12-5 NY Islanders tonight at Barclays Center. Chicago won 2-1 at MSG on Tuesday over the Rangers and sits comfortably atop the Central Division with 42 points. As for the Islanders, they are off a 4-2 Tuesday loss at home vs. the Capitals and languish at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division with 27 points, a whopping 16 points behind the first-place Penguins.

Chicago: The Blackhawks appear primed to contend for their fourth Stanley Cup in the last eight seasons. Chicago leads the entire Western Conference, despite battling a litany of injuries to stars such as center Jonathan Toews, who missed nine games with a back injury before returning Tuesday, and goalie Corey Crawford, who underwent an appendectomy on Dec. 3. Crawford has yet to resume skating. In the six games since Crawford was sidelined, backup Scott Darling has allowed just eight goals while leading the Blackhawks to a 3-2-1 record.

NY Islanders: The Islanders have been to the postseason the last two seasons but Stanley Cup hockey is only a dream for the current season and it's not even Christmas. They play in the talent-rich Metropolitan Division and thus have little chance of sneaking into the playoffs. "It's frustrating, because you know the ability's there," head coach Jack Capuano said of the Islanders. who reached the Eastern Conference semifinals last spring for the first time since the 1992-93 season. "I don't know where it's gone. But I'm losing my patience a little bit with some of the guys."

The pick: As noted, Chicago's Darling has allowed just eight goals in the six games since replacing Crawford but I'm not convinced he isn't somewhat playing over his head. Expect the islanders to get a couple (a few?) past him here but as New York's veteran netminder says about the team, "We find ways to lose games. We're not finding a way to win a game." By the way, Jaroslav Halak, who has yielded 10 goals in his last two starts. the Over is a 10* play.