This is a 10* EAST-CONF TOM on the OVER Wings/Panthers.

I'm a situational capper, so I handicap the end of the season a little differently than I do the start of the season and through the bulk of the regular season.

But for this one, I think it sets up well to be a high-scoring affair.

At this time of year you have to look at the schedule to gauge motivation levels. If the playoffs were to start today the Wings would be on the outside looking in, they're in ninth spot, two games back of Washington.

And that's because the Wings have lost three straight, they've been shutout twice in that time, including most recently 4-0 at Carolina. They also lost 4-0 at home to Florida on March 2nd and note that the Wings have seen the total go OVER the number in seven of their last ten in trying to avenge a shutout home loss vs. an opponent.

Florida is second in the Atlantic at 46-22, but it won't be lacking for motivation here either after two straight home losses..

I think we'll see a wide-open shootout in this one, so I'm rolling with the OVER in this early game.

Good luck, NP