The Oilers snapped a seven game losing skid with a blowout win at home over Nashville last night. They will travel to Vancouver tonight, to take on the Canucks who defeated Phoenix in overtime by a score of 5-4 on Sunday.

Before I make the decision to place a wager, there are numerous factors that I will take into careful consideration. While I won't go into great detail about all my handicapping methods, I will share a few of the key stats and trends for this contest:

1: Previous History - The Oilers have lost three of their last four games overall, but all three of those losses came in games decided by one goal.

2: Special Teams - The Canucks power-play has been terrible lately, going 2-for-34 over their last nine games.

3: X-Factor - Vancouver will be without team captain and leading scorer Henrik Sedin.

Selection: This is a play on the Edmonton Oilers (Puckline)

The Ducks are four points clear of second place Chicago, at the top of the NHL standings. Anaheim has been on a tear, winning 17 of it's last 18 games overall. They face a tough test tonight, hosting Western Conference rivals Vancouver. The Canucks are looking good as a puckline dog in this spot.

Here are my keys to the game:

1: Previous History - The Ducks have won each of their six games in January, but half of those wins came in games decided by just one goal. The Canucks on the other hand have lost five of six, but three of those five losses came in one-goal games.

2: Special Teams - The Canucks boast the league's top penalty killing unit, allowing opponents to convert on fewer than 11% of their power-play chances. The Ducks have a terrible power-play, scoring on just 16.4% of their opportunities.

3: X-Factor - Vancouver netminder Eddie Lack stopped 19-of-20 shots in a 1-0 loss to the Kings in his last start, and he's 8-4 with a 2.12 GAA and a .924 save percentage on the season. Those numbers are far superior to any of Anaheim's goaltenders.

Selection: This is a play on the Vancouver Canucks (Puck Line)

The Anaheim Ducks are the hottest team in the league, but they could cool off on the road in Nashville tonight. The Predators are coming off a big home win over the Sharks on Tuesday. Nashville has a history of playing competitive games with the Ducks, and they should give Anaheim a tough challenge tonight.

Here are my keys to the game:

1: Previous History - The Predators have won six of the last 10 meetings, and two of those four losses came in games decided by just one goal. Nashville is 3-3 over it's last six games, and only one of those losses came by more than one goal.

2: Home Cookin' - Nashville has a solid home record of 11-8-1, and they have won six of their last eight home meetings with the Ducks. They have won three straight home games against San Jose, Detroit and L.A.

3: X-Factor - Marek Mazanec has had his ups and downs filling in for Pekka Rinne, but he's 3-0 in his last three starts at home, and he's likely to be back between the pipes tonight.

Selection: This is a play on the Nashville Predators (+1.5)

The New Jersey Devils have been struggling, and it won't get any easier in Pittsburgh tonight. The Penguins have won six of their last seven, despite injuries to several key players. Pittsburgh has also been without James Neal, who is serving a suspension.

Here are my keys to the game:

1: Previous History - The Devils have been successful in past meetings with Pittsburgh, winning four of the last five. New Jersey has just one win in it's last five games, but three of those four losses have come in one-goal games.

2: Corey Schneider - Marty Brodeur gave up five goals in his last two starts, and he'll be sitting on the bench tonight. Corey Schneider will get the start, and he's ranked 4th in the NHL with a 1.89 GAA.

3: X-Factor - Former Penguin Jaromir Jagr leads the Devils in scoring, and he has three points in his last two games.

Selection: This is a play on the New Jersey Devils +1.5 (5*)

The Minnesota Wild have won three of their last four games, and they are in Anaheim tonight to take on the Ducks. Anaheim is in second place in the West, two points back of the defending champion Blackhawks.

Here are my keys to the game:

1: Previous History - The Ducks have won five straight meetings with Minnesota, but each of the last three of those wins came in one-goal hockey games.

2: Special Teams - The Wild have been quite good on the power-play, converting on better than 20% of their man-advantage opportunities. The Ducks power-play is clicking at just over 17%.

3: X-Factor - Josh Harding was a brick wall, stopping 37 shots in a 3-1 win over the Sharks on Sunday.

Selection: This is a play on the Minnesota Wild +1.5 (5*)

The Pittsburgh Penguins are red hot, coming off three straight wins, and winners of 6-of-8 overall. They will face the Islanders on Long Island tonight, and they will be a big road favorite. The Isles have lost six straight, and should be desperate to end this losing skid.

Here are my keys to the game:

1: Previous History - The Penguins have won four of the last seven head to head meetings, but five of those seven games were decided by just a single goal. Three of the Isles six losses have come in one-goal games.

2: Goaltending - Poor goaltending has a lot to do with the Isles losing streak, and that prompted them to give 23 year old Anders Nilsson an opportunity. He played well in a 3-2 overtime loss to Washington, and could get the start in favor of the struggling Poulin tonight.

3: X-Factor - Thomas Vanek has scored seven goals in his last five games versus the Penguins.

Selection: This is a play on the New York Islanders +1.5 (6*)