Good afternoon puckheads! Been a crazy week to say the least, with dramatic last second game-winning goals, furious late 3rd period comebacks, a litany of shutouts, a successful All Star game weekend in Ottawa and record setting night in Edmonton!

Anyhow, my hot streak hit a bit of a lull last week going sub.500 for just the 2nd time in months. Time to get back on the horse!

Stats as of Friday morning
Winning % on the season= 57%
Previous Week Record= 2-4

(~~ Follow Anthony Lancione on Twitter @Anthisdaman)

Washington @ Montreal (2:00pm ET)

By the Numbers – Frozen Pools

After kicking off 2012 with a more familiar brand of hockey, putting W’s on the board and a reclaiming of 1st place in the Southeast, the Caps have now dropped 4 of 5 and find themselves back on the outside looking in again in the East Conference playoff picture. Meanwhile, the Habs, after the shocking the hockey world with a demolition of the Detroit Red Wings, have now dropped two in a row. However, their four losses in the past six and seven of ten are the more indicative measures.

Pick
Washington – Visitor Win – V(ProLine)

Vancouver @ Colorado (3:00pm ET)
By the Numbers -Frozen Pools

Despite the Avs foiling in a 4 game losing streak, they’ve still been playing competitive hockey, losing all 4 by just a single marker. However, that factoid only begins to sum up the Nucks recent run of play. Vancouver only had 2 games in the entire month of January which WERE’NT 1-goal affairs. Giggy has really took the ball and run with it recently, with prized acquisition Varlamov only getting 1 start since January 15th!

Pick
Vancouver – Visiting Team Win – V(ProLine)

L.A. @ Carolina (7:00pm ET)
By the Numbers – Frozen Pools

As the Kings head to Carolina, they embark also on a 14-night, 6 -game road trip. One would think that a battle against the Eastern Conference basement dwellers is the ideal matchup for L.A. to kick off the trip. However, the Caniacs are coming off a 3-zip whitewash of the Stanley cup champs, so confidence may just be running at a season high.

Pick
L.A. – Visitor Win – V(ProLine)

Toronto @ Ottawa (8:00pm ET)
By the Numbers – Frozen Pools

The Leafs have received seven of a possible eight points. Although it really should have been a full eight of eight after spectacularly blowing a 4-1 lead with 5 minutes left vs. the Pens in Pittsburgh Tuesday night. However, to Toronto’s credit, they did exact revenge the next night @ home with fan favourite Optimus Reim posting a shutout in his 1st start in over 2 weeks.

Pick
Toronto – Visiting Team Win – V(ProLine)

San Jose @ Phoenix (8:00pm ET)
By the Numbers – Frozen Pools

The Sharks have been picking up steam of late, winning 3 straight and beating their opponents by a 12-2 score in the process (with 2 shutouts to boot). Thornton and Pavelski specifically have reached mid-season form with a combined 9 pts in the past 2 game alone!
As for the Yotes, the free fall continues. They remain stuck on a 3-9 record in the new year.

Pick
San Jose – Visitor Win- V(ProLine)

Detroit @ Edmonton (10:00pm ET)
By the Numbers – Frozen Pools

After a night of epic proportions by young, skilled (yet underachieving) forward Sam Gagner, with an obscene 8 point night in Alberta, the oil kids will attempt to keep the momentum going. Unfortunately, the veteran-laden Wings, with countless Stanley Cup rings between them, will close the door and show who’s boss in the West! After all, the Hawks, for all their success this year, have not had any success whatsoever with Crawford in net vs. the Oilers.

Pick
Detroit – Visiting Team Win – V(ProLine)