Another good week last week, a 4-2 finish (I know Winnipeg won in OT and not the shootout so technically 3-3 for pro-line purposes) puts me at 9-3 over the past couple of weekends. Thunder is starting to slide as she only picked out two winners last week; the old girl needs a bounce back and fast. She's got a couple of risky picks this week, but then again, all winning/losing streaks come to an end at some point.

It's -40⁰C here with the wind chill, so I'm looking forward to some nice hot cocoa with Bailey's to keep me warm this Saturday while watching some NHL action. I would like to apologize ahead of time as I've been slightly distracted with my Niners playing in the NFC Championship Game this Sunday after that amazing game last weekend against the Saints, so if I slide a little, gimme a break, San Fran hasn't been in the postseason since 2002. Fourteen games on the schedule, so let's get to the easy money:

Senators @ Ducks

By the Numbers – Frozen Pool

The Sens are playing some great hockey at the moment posting a 9-1-1 record in their last 11 games. In those 11 games Craig Anderson has turned his play around since being pulled in a Boxing Day game against the Habs only allowing 19 goals since. The Ducks are another team that has been heating up since the New Year, winning six of their last eight games. In those six wins the Ducks have outscored opponents 31-12. The Ducks have lost five straight on Saturdays and their only win came on opening weekend in Europe.

My Pick: V (Senators win)

Thunder's Pick: V

Hurricanes @ Islanders

By the Numbers – Frozen Pool

The Isles have managed to put together a 6-4 record in their last 10 games, thanks to some of their offensive players stepping up. Tavares has 17 points during his 10 game point streak; meanwhile Matt Moulson hasn't been a slouch either with 14 points in the same span. There has even been a Kyle Okposo sighting with nine of his 22 points this season coming in the same stretch. On the other hand Eric Staal has put together 14 points in his last 10 games; unfortunately Carolina has only been able to win four of those games. Cam Ward has started to turn his season around, as he hasn't allowed more than two goals in his last six starts, but the team has lost three of those starts thanks to a sputtering offense that may be without Jeff Skinner again.

My Pick: H (Islanders win)

Thunder's Pick: H

Blue Jackets @ Red Wings

By the Numbers – Frozen Pool

The Red Wings have won 15 in a row at home and are 18-2-1 on the season at Joe Louis Arena. Twelve of those fifteen wins in a row were by two or more goals. The Blue Jackets have won two of their last eight road games. I'm just going to go to the next game.

My Pick: H+ (Red Wings by 2 or more)

Thunder's Pick: V

Sabres @ Blues

By the Numbers – Frozen Pool

The St. Louis Blues continue to roll under Hitchcock. The team is buying into the defensive philosophy surrendering nine goals in 2012 so far. Brian Elliott's strong play has given him new life in the NHL with a two-year contract extension. Buffalo's road losing streak has hit double digits and with the Blues winning 19 of 25 home games the streak may continue. Jason Pominville is on a point per game pace, and after Vanek's 41 points this season, the next closest Sabre is Derek Roy with only 25 points. How much are the Sabres paying this season in actual salary to Leino and Ehrhoff for a combined 27 points so far? This team will see some trades soon and hopefully that will steer the team in the right direction again.

My Pick: H (Blues win)

Thunder's Pick:  V

Blackhawks @ Predators

By the Numbers – Frozen Pool

Who would have thought that the Predators, at this point in the season, would have 58 points on the season and be in fourth place in the Central Division. That point total is good enough to lead two other divisions and ranks 8^th in the league. The Hawks are 6-2-1 in the back end of a back-to-back set. They managed to win the only matchup of the season between these two clubs back in October. The Hawks have gotten production throughout their entire lineup, with a couple of rookies, Hayes and Shaw, showing up on the score sheet on an almost nightly basis. For Nashville, Shea Weber leads the team in scoring with 33 points this season. Pekka Rinne continues to be all world, going 9-1 in his last ten starts, allowing only 17 goals over that stretch.

My Pick: T (Preds in a shootout)

Thunder's Pick: H

Avalanche @ Kings

By the Numbers – Frozen Pool

He's baaaack. Welcome back Peter Mueller, and what a show he put on in his 4^th game back with two goals an assist and a goal post away from a hat trick. Mueller's feeling great, and Avs fans hope he can go on a similar run to two years ago when he potted 20 points in 15 games. Varlamov is struggling at the moment but Giggy is doing exactly what the team brought him in to do, and currently has the hot hand between the pipes. Giguere's 2.12 GAA this season is the best by an Avs goalie in the post lockout era. The Kings have managed to pick up points in 14 of their last 15 games, however they haven't beaten the Avalanche in two games this season. The Kings are last in league in goals for (2.15 goals for per game) yet remain only two points out of the Pacific Division lead. Los Angeles is the only team with a perfect record when taking a lead into the first intermission.

My Pick: V

Thunder's Pick: H