A tough week last week for Anthony as he'll have some wounds to lick after only picking a single winner, however I don't think there was anyone who wasn't surprised with the Sens, Coyotes, Devils, Hurricanes, and Blues all winning last week.  Two weeks ago Thunder and I tied again in our proline dealings with 3-3 splits, although picking 5 out of 6 winners straight up hopefully helps build confidence for this week.  Although I'm only 7-11 with my proline picks this year, my straight up winners looking much better at 11-7.  Thunder has been as steady as can be at 9-9, but we all know .500 isn't going to get you into the playoffs so it's time for her to step up her game. Anyways, let's see if we can get some winners for you this week:

Flyers @ Jets

By the Numbers – Frozen Pool

It's amazing that the Flyers are able to generate 3.72 goals for per game when they don't start the play with the puck on their stick (third worst face-off percentage in the league).  The last time these two teams met it was a wild 9-8 affair that the Jets were able to pull out in Philadelphia.  Since calling himself out, Ilya Bryzgalov has gone 5-0-1 allowing 10 goals in that span and stopping 169 of 179 shots that he's faced.  On the other hand the Jets have put together two terrific home games in knocking off divisional opponents Tampa Bay and Washington by a combined score of 9-3. Despite a 3.92 career GAA against the Flyers, Pavelec is 3-1 in 5 career starts. The Flyers are 9-0 when leading after the first period.

Pick: V (Flyers win)

Thunder's Pick: H

Capitals @ Maple Leafs

By the Numbers – Frozen Pool

The Capitals have won four of their last five against the Maple Leafs, but most importantly Ovechkin has a higher goal per game average against the Leafs than any other team in the league with 23 markers in 23 games. This may be just what the doctor ordered to get Ovechkin rolling again. The Leafs have lost five of their last six overall and after winning all their Saturday matchups in October (4-0), they are 0-2 in November being outscored 12-2. The Leafs are 29^th on the penalty kill this season, and 27^th at home. The Capitals have a .778 win percentage when they allow the first goal, and a league worst .375 win percentage when they score first.  Seems like a simple game plan heading into the ACC.

Pick: V (Capitals win)

Thunder's Pick: H

Coyotes @ Sabres

By the Numbers – Frozen Pool

The Sabres have won their last five meetings against the Coyotes outscoring them 18-6. The over/under for their match-ups has flip flopped for their last seven head to head meetings, so based on that trend, this game should be over. If Derek Morris spent last time trash talking Bryzgalov before Thursday's game and actually covered his man Matt Read going to the front of the net on Thursday night in the final minute of the game the Coyotes would have picked up a point in their fifth straight game and tenth out of their last eleven. The Sabres are 3-1 this season on the tail end of back to back nights, with their only defeat coming last week against the Bruins after they finished the game with a concussed Ryan Miller.

Pick: T (Sabres win in the shootout)

Thunder's Pick: V

Blue Jackets @ Predators

By the Numbers – Frozen Pool

Columbus and Anaheim are the only teams in the NHL who have been unable to win a game this season after surrendering the opening goal.  The Jackets haven't won on the road since last March and run into a hot Pekka Rinne.  Rinne is 7-0-2 in his last nine starts and has only surrendered nine goals in six starts in November.  Columbus is 28^th in the league with a 0.71 goals for to goal against ratio at even strength, combined with a 12.5 % power play and a 75% penalty and its no wonder the Jackets have only won three games this season.  All their games have been won by rookie Ryan Johansen to boot. Throw in the recent rumblings of Jeff Carter's dissatisfaction in Columbus and I'm not sure how Arniel makes it into December.  At least Yakupov will turn out better than Filatov did. Eight of the Predators ten wins this year have been by two or more goals.

Pick: H+ (Predators win by 2 or more)

Thunder's Pick: H

Blues @ Wild

By the Numbers – Frozen Pool

Just when you thought watching a Minnesota Wild game couldn't get any worse.  Enter Ken Hitchcock with a talented goalie in Jaroslav Halak and I'm not sure why they wouldn't just black this game out and save us all.  Both teams are superb in even strength this year with the NHL's 2^nd and 3^rd best GF:GA ratios of 1.55 and 1.38 for St. Louis and Minnesota respectively.  Minnesota has the best defense in the league, and St. Louis is third.  Minnesota has won five of the last six meetings between these two; however the Blues are undefeated this season when leading after the first or second period, or when being out shot by their opponent.  Minnesota won 2-1 two weeks ago against the Blues at home.

Pick: H (Wild win)

Thunder's Pick: V

Sharks @ Stars

By the Numbers – Frozen Pool

After starting the season 11-3 the Stars have hit a bump in the road after coming off a high in defeating the Washington Capitals 5-2 in D.C. a week and a half ago.  Now with three straight losses being outscored 14-3 it will be interesting how the Stars respond.  Perhaps a date with the Avs on Friday will help right the ship before hosting the San Jose Sharks Saturday night. The Stars are 0-3 in the tail end of back to back games this season and lost three of the last four against their division rivals last season.  These match-ups have rarely been goaltending duels as seven of the last ten games have gone over with an average of 6.6 goals scored over that span.  The Sharks haven't lost a game this year while scoring first, unfortunately it has only happened a league low five times this season. In his career Lethonen's weakest month of the season is November and has been lit up against the Sharks for a 3.69 GAA.

Pick: V (Sharks win)

Thunder's Pick: V