The set-up: I am a "situational/motivational" handicapper at heart. I also look for strong trends. I also like to go against completely lop-sided trends and numbers. This particular contest sets up great for the Stars in a number of ways. Tampa is off a 4-1 loss at Nashville just yesterday afternoon. The Lightning have lost two of three and I think some minor regression is in order here now after such a long and strong start to the season. I'm not talking any epic losing streaks, but even Tampa's lofty standards were being stretched.

The pick: Dallas, not surprisingly, plays with revenge here after a 2-0 loss to the Bolts in their latest matchup in early March. The Stars broke a two-game slide with a tough 3-1 shootout win at Columbus, but note that Dallas is 7-2 in its last nine in trying to revenge a shutout loss to an opponent. Great situational play and fantastic value on the revenge-minded home side here.

This is a 10* UNDERDOG BEST OF THE BEST on the Stars.