The set-up: The Isles have done better than most expected they would this year, but I think their fast start is definitely over. The Isles come in having lost two straight and lack of offensive production has been the issue. The defense and goaltending carried the load in the early going, but now the team is starting to wear down. The Wild started the year terribly, but Minnesota has quietly started to turn things around with two straight wins and I look for it to carry over that momentum here.

The pick: The Wild average 3.47 GPG at home and I think New York struggles to keep pace today on the road. Note as well that the Islanders are a poor 5-8 (-5.7 units) this season in non-conference games, while the Wild are 8-4 in their last 12 in the same position. In my professional opinion, this is the very definition of "great line value."

10* BEST OF THE BEST is on the Minnesota Wild.