Looks like CBC is trying to make up for the less than intense ASG from last Saturday with a triple header today, not to mention five Canadian teams in action that can all be seen on the Canadian network. This is a terrific prelude to Hockey Day in Canada coming up next Saturday.  We're trying to incorporate a slightly different format for the picks this Saturday, focusing on six matchups from the days' action. I'm going to roll with the Hot Mutt, still up from the minors, as Caribou picked six winners last time out, beating yours truly by one. Plenty of hockey all day long so let's get to it:

San Jose @ Boston

By the Numbers – Frozen Pool

Both teams have identical home and away record.  San Jose is 7-2-1 in their last 10 road games, and they're 6-0-1 in their last seven overall. The Bruins are no slouches themselves sporting a 9-3 record in their last 12 games. The combination of Bergeron and Marchand has been on fire lately, eight points in five games for Bergeron, and nine points in seven games for Marchand. This should be a close one, Bruins are 2-7 after 60 minutess, while the Sharks are 5-6.

Pick: Tie (Sharks in Shootout)

Caribou's Pick: H

Anaheim @ Colorado

By the Numbers – Frozen Pool

This is a matchup of two goaltenders heading in opposite direction this season. All-star Hiller is playing out of this world, while Anderson's play has everyone in Colorado thinking he's hiding an injury. Ducks have won the last four at the Pepsi Center outscoring COL 20-9 in the process.  Budaj will get the nod in net (8-2-2 @ home this season). David Jones is back in the lineup and Foppa had a much better practice on Friday with one of the Swedish reporters, Gunnar Nordstrom, believing he will comeback. Perhaps this is enough to lift the spirits of this young Avs team and push them into the postseason.

Pick: H – Colorado win

Caribou's Pick: H

Ottawa @ NY Islanders

By the Numbers – Frozen Pool

Spezza is back! Thank God, the Sens were 1-10-4 in his absence, which is atrocious. DiPietro is out with facial fractures (kind of hard not to laugh) after getting one-punched by Brent Johnson (what a goon).  Spezza has 23 points in 23 career games against the Islanders.  The Isles are reeling a bit losing four straight at home, and 3-8-1 in their last 12.

Pick: V – Ottawa win

Caribou's Pick: H

Dallas @ Philadelphia

By the Numbers – Frozen Pool

The Stars have lost four of their last five games giving up on average five goals per game. This doesn't help going into Philadelphia to face the league's best offense. The Flyers have won seven of their last nine games. They have also taken three straight from the Stars in their head to head matchup. Barch and Burish both suffered facial fractures, and our out of the lineup, from Thursday's brew-ha-ha against the Bruins. Lehtonen is 0-9-1 with a 3.75 GAA in his career against the Flyers.

Pick: H+ – Philadelphia win by two or more

Caribou's Pick: V

Edmonton @ Columbus

By the Numbers – Frozen Pool

Both team are playing the night before. The Blue Jackets have only one home win in 2011, while the Oilers make their way in from St. Louis with only three wins in total in 2011. Mason is 1-1 against the Oil this season with a colossal 4.58 GAA. Dubnyk is 4-2 on the road this year, however if the Oilers are still going forth with tanking this season perhaps look for Khabibulin to get the start. Most of Columbus' scorers this year have better splits away from Ohio.

Pick: V – Edmonton win

Caribou's Pick: H

Los Angeles @ Calgary

By the Numbers – Frozen Pool

With both teams battling for a playoff spot, this should be a terrific hockey game Saturday night. Unfortunately for the Kings, the Flames have won the last 10 meetings at home versus Los Angeles, and outscored them 39-16 in the process. Quick has won his last four starts, posting a 1.47 GAA to turn away any rumblings of Bernier taking over the starting role. The Flames try to win seven straight for the first time since November of 2005. The Kings are only 11-13-1 on the road, as this is game three of a 10 game road trip.

Pick: H – Calgary win

Caribou's Pick: H