There are 12 games on the schedule for Saturday, and not to make any excuses but I've been hampered by a stomach virus the last 10 days, so here's to keeping it short and sweet.  With only eight wins collectively last week, here's hoping Thunder and I break .500… if not, my column will still become more useful as you'll just have to bet on the team's that I don't pick…

Happy Day Light Savings Time!

St. Louis @ Boston

The top 2 defensive teams in the league square off, with the Blues undefeated at home and the B's having not dropped a decision on the road.  The road team has won the last 4 matchups in this H2H dating back to October of 2006.  Halak sports a 1.99 GAA versus the Bruins in his career winning 5 of 8 starts.  Both teams are rolling, but it's time for Timmy Thomas to blemish that perfect record.

Pick: V

Thunder's Pick: H

Chicago @ Atlanta

The Thrashers have given up 97 shots on goal in their last 2 games.  The Hawks, on the other hand, have dropped 3 of their last 4 and will be without the services of Hossa and Bolland. They also are averaging 3.2 G/game on the road while the Thrashers are 0.5 G/game below their overall season average when playing at home.

Pick: V

Thunder's Pick: H

Buffalo @ Toronto

A matchup of two struggling teams should get one of them pointed in the right direction with a W on Saturday night.  I wouldn't expect the Leafs to continue to come back late in games.  However, the Sabres defence is one that even the offensively challenged Maple Leafs should be able to exploit. Buffalo loves to play the Leafs having won 9 of their last 10 matchups (lost last April), outscoring the Buds 3.6 to 1.7, while going 33% on the PP and killing over 94% of their penalties in that time span.  The Leafs surrender the third fewest PP chances per game, so this one should be a close one.

Pick: V+

Thunder's Pick: T (Buffalo)

Minnesota @ Columbus

Minnesota has not allowed a PP goal to the Blue Jackets in their last 10 outings.  However, giving up the most PP's per game may come back to haunt them.  The BJ's must have the quietest 8-4 start this season, especially with Garon playing lights out right now forcing Arniel to sit Mason who's managed to be even worse statistically than last season.  The Jackets have won 4 of their last 5 and that top line of Brassard, Voracek, and Nash seems to be clicking well the past couple of games.  Nash's ice time has been declining in Columbus (season low 15:16 on Thursday) as Arniel has been more confident in rolling 4 lines as of late.  Minny's 2^nd best PP in the league hopes to have Zidlicky in the lineup (currently day-to-day), as they're still missing Latendresse, Miettinen, Shepard, PMB up front.  Voracek has 4 points in 2 November games.

Pick: H

Thunder's Pick: H

Philadelphia @ NY Islanders

Here's hoping DiPietro doesn't get the start for this one.  A 4.21 GAA and .854 SV% want to make poolies he picked him up as a late option wish he was injured again.  To poor Isles fans, at least his contract will be up in 11 years. Flyers, winners of 5 straight, are 9-1 in their last 10 versus the Isles, outscoring them 3.7 to 2.0 and their PP has scored at a rate of 34.3% to 7.7%.  However, the Isles did win their last home game versus the Flyers and are the highest scoring team in the league at home (4 G/game).  You have to be on drugs to take the Isles in this one, and with my stomach virus, I qualify.

Pick: H

Thunder's Pick: H

Ottawa @ Montreal

The Habs have won both matchups this season.  The Sens have managed to win 4 of their last 5, however with 3 of those wins coming against TOR, NYI, and FLA I wouldn't be overly excited.  Hopefully Markov can get the league's 2^nd worst PP in the league going. Auld should see another game this weekend.

Pick: H

Thunder's Pick: V

Florida @ Carolina

The home team has taken the last 6 games in this matchup.  This will be the back end of a home and home.  Last year the Panthers won on Friday with the Canes taking their home game on Saturday.  Skinner leads the Canes with 10 pts, 6 in his last 4 games.

Pick: H

Thunder's Pick: H

Dallas @ Colorado

This matchup will see the top 2 offences in the league squaring off against one another, combined with the 2^nd (COL) and 3^rd (DAL) worst PK's in the league and this should turn out into quite the shootout.  The Avs took 3 of 4 from the Stars last year and Budaj is 4-2-4 in his career.  His play at home 2.03 GAA and .943 SV% have been rock solid in relief of an injured Craig Anderson.  Stastny is averaging over a PPG versus the Stars while B.Richards is a -8 versus the Avs in his career (worst amongst all Western Conference opponents).

Pick: H

Thunder's Pick: H

Pittsburgh @ Phoenix

The Pens have managed a dreadful 10 goals in their last 5 games. Last year Crosby got into a fight and the team managed to beat the Ducks on the road in the very next game (Pitt's opponent of Friday).  In 08-09 Crosby fought against Florida twice, once they lost 3 in a row on the road, the other they won 3 straight to end the season and ended up hoisting Lord Stanley. Phoenix has outscored Pittsburgh 7-1 in the last 2 years.  The Pens have a top 5 road defence and PK in the league.

Pick: V

Thunder's Pick: H

Nashville at Los Angeles

The Kings are perfect at home, and J. Quick has a 0.75 GAA and .971 SV% at the Staples Center.  This seems like a great time to pick up his first career victory versus the Predators.  Nashville has owned the Kings winning 8 of their last 10 meetings; however the Kings are 5-0 this year as the favourites.

Pick: H

Thunder's Pick: V

Detroit @ Vancouver

The Wings took 3 out of 4 from the Canucks last season, but the Canucks have the league's top PP (28.3%), which was the difference in topping the Avs on Thursday.  Bobby Lu has only 7 wins in 20 career starts, but has been lights out at home 3-0-1 with a .965 SV% and 1.23 GAA.  He'll need a strong game against a contender to make sure red-hot Schneider doesn't start to eat away at more of his starts.

Pick: H

Thunder's Pick: V

Tampa Bay @ San Jose

Tampa's offense has dried out on the road, having recorded only 5 goals in 3 games out West so far.  Not as bad as the Sharks who have been shutout their last 3 games away from home.  Luckily they're back in San Jose where they've scored 10 in their last 2.  The Bolts still have the 2^nd best PK in the league and have fired the third most SOG.  The Bolts are 5-2 as the underdog this year.

Pick: V

Thunder's Pick: V