T.M. Selection: Isles/Penguins OVER (10* TOTAL TRADE-MARK).

These two teams are very evenly matched. Pittsburgh was one of the best home teams in the league, and it got the job done by crushing teams with a relentless offensive attack, which saw it post 3.4 GPG. That offense will be going up against the league's top defense in the Islanders, which allowd just 2.00 GPG. However note, the Isles have seen the total go over in eigth of their last 12 road games as an underdog in the +105 to +135 range. If this Game 1 was being played in New York, I'd like the under, but because it's in Pittsburgh, the value has swung the other way; the play is the over!

T.M. Prediction: 5-4 Pens.