Greetings Hockey Fans! After a rough Saturday night two columns ago where my streak of continually improving on my prior week's record ended, I rebounded quite nicely choosing four of six winners two weeks ago. (Although I went five for six (83%), if you count my selection of the Bruins in SO, despite them getting the job done in regulation.) I also wanted to give Marty a standing O for his dead-on call last weekend of the Oilers impending repeat whipping of the Avs. He even nailed the score! Anyhow, here's to a 3^rd straight impressive week from the Dobber 6-Pack Saturday night crew!

Previous Week Record= 5-1

For ProLine Purposes= 4-2

(Choosing a winner in Shootouts still counts as a loss if the 'W' is achieved in regulation L)

Winning % since format change (12 games)= 58%

Bold Bonus Points (For successfully choosing game to go to SO's AND picking correct winner)= +1

(~~ Stats as of Friday morning)

Long Island @ New Jersey (7:00pm ET)

By the Numbers – Frozen Pools

The 'Highway Showdown' kicks off between these two, fast-rising basement dwellers in Jersey, with a hot again Marty Brodeur trying to help pull off one of the most remarkable mid-season comebacks in history!  Despite the loss to Ottawa midweek, New Jersey remains on a 20-3-2 tear! I hesitate to think how many teams in NHL history have ever gone on such a run garnering 42 of a possible 48 points (prior to Wednesday) yet still fell short of the post-season? Zero ?? Even though the Devils have spent more than half the season as the NHL's laughing stock at the bottom of the standings, remarkably, they still rank 6^th league-wide in goals against! The Islanders play meanwhile can be attributed to the monkey off the back theory, with many young stars contributing over the past few weeks with little pressure on them to succeed at this point. Al Montoya astonishingly still has a GAA under 2.00! However, end of the day, Jersey's superstars have seemingly awaken. Take Jersey to close out a relatively close scoring affair.

Pick

New Jersey – Home Win – H(ProLine)

Atlanta @ Philadelphia (7:00pm ET)

By the Numbers – Frozen Pools

Both the Thrasher s and Flyers come into this one having chalked up two straight, after going through rough patches the prior week. Philly has admittedly looked to have stepped off the gas a bit in recent weeks, on the cruise for the time being. However, look for them to get back into gear as we move closer to the final weeks of the regular season.

The 50-50 split rotation between 'The Bob' and Brian 'Bobby' Boucher continues to be the case, as neither have stepped up and laid claim to the starting role yet. I wonder if Laviolette will consider being the first coach ever in recent memory to stick to this practise come playoff time, seeing how the overall results have the Flyers still tops in the East. Atlanta on the other hand, after a Cinderella start reminiscent of Phoenix Coyotes(09/10 season) 2.0, have fallen back to a more familiar 11th spot.  Look for the boys in orange to make it three straight, and convincingly so.

Pick

Philadelphia – Home Win – H(ProLine)

Tampa Bay @ Florida (7:00pm ET)

By the Numbers – Frozen Pools

Ahh, the Sunshine State Classic!! These Fierce regional rivals divisional foes lock up in Sunrise, Florida with the Lightning trying to take the spot back in the SouthEast, only 2 points back of the streaking Capitals, with a game in hand. After setting the hockey world on fire with almost 40 goals by late January, Stevey Stamkos has laid claim to just a pair of markers over the past month +. However, over that same span, he's managed to maintain his spot at 2^nd in the scoring race by pulling the old switcheroo with Marty St. Louis, shifting from finisher to setup man, with 10 assists. The Panthers, continue to ho-hum their way to yet another mediocre at best finish, despite Tomas Vokoun's best efforts to single-handedly keep the Cats competitive with yet another commendable season. Unfortunately, the scoring power just simply isn't there for the Panthers. Tampa takes this one with ease! If you're feeling bold, take the visitors to best the 1 goal spread, instead of moneyline.

Pick

Tampa Bay by 2 or more goals – Visitor Win Plus– V+(ProLine)

Detroit @ St.Louis (8:00pm ET)

By the Numbers –Frozen Pools

The Blues come into this one surprisingly playing the better hockey of the two over the past week, looking for their 4^th straight victory. A big reason is the strong play of newly acquired youngsters Stewart and Shattenkirk, who have fit in to the puzzle quite nicely. Contrastingly, the Red Wings have found themselves mired a four game losing streak, including a complete breakdown in the Desert on Saturday evening. A less than stellar Jimmy Howard was largely responsible in a 4-1 third period lead collapse, though he battled back Wednesday night with only 2.00 GAA and .923 SV %, giving Detroit a chance to win. However, it seems that every year Detroit manages to float through a couple extensive losing streaks, only to bounce back running off a bunch of W's in short order.  They'll shrug it off soon, no doubt. These grizzled vets have been through it all. Also, Brian Rafalski is looking to finally return to the line-up after yet another lengthy absence. It should be noted though, that Detroit has had much success finding the back of the twine vs. the Blues this season with 19 in four games thus far. Smart Money is on the Wings

Pick

Detroit – Visitor Win – V(ProLine)

Vancouver @ Calgary (10:00pm ET)

By the Numbers – Frozen Pools

The NHL leading Canucks are now starting to put some serious distance between themselves and the currently struggling #2 seed Redwings, as they now hold an imposing 11 point advantage over the Wings and a seven point lead over the East leading Flyers! Calgary haven't been too shabby themselves obviously, charging back into the playoff picture as of late. Captain Jarome Iginla has finally slowed down a bit the last couple nights after potting eight points in four games the week before. Look for him to try getting back on the score sheet. This Western Canadian showdown always proves to be an intense battle, and I expect no less in this affair. Vancouver ranks in the top two league-wide in Wins, Goals Scored, least Goals Against, and a number of other top offensive categories, so with many of their d-men now nursed back to health, they will be all guns a-blazing in this one. Bobby Lou is also well-rested after having the luxury of Corey Schneider taking back to back starts in relief mid-week.

Pick

Vancouver – Visitor Win by 2 or more goals – V+(ProLine)

New York Rangers @ San Jose (10:30pm ET)

By the Numbers – Frozen Pools

Could be a rough night in store for the Broadway Blueshirts at the Shark Tank. San Jose is silently becoming one of the most consistent teams in the league. After going 9-1-1 in their past 11 & 18-3-2 over their past 23 since January 23^rd, they have made a serious push from outside of the playoff picture to now sitting a mere single point behind Detroit for the #2 spot in the West. Antii Niemi has been absolutely fantastic, while Jumbo Joe & Dany Heatley have seemingly come back to life, both averaging over a point per game over the past month as well. The success of the Rangers in 2011, however, appear to be very much determined wholly by the play of King Henrik! Simply, when he's at his best, no one has been better in the world this season. However, aside from the occasional random outburst, the Rangers forwards absolutely need to help him out more, spread through the line-up~~NOT depending on another quadruple from Callahan. San Jose won't run over them, but should leave the hometown faithful pleased.

Pick

San Jose – Home Team Win — H(ProLine)