Find out why Kwiaton thinks the Flyers will keep rolling

Two weeks ago I was a goal away from going five-for-six, but I guess it just wasn't meant to be. It's been a terrific season so far, and the West has really shown its dominance against the East. Not a single team from the Eastern Conference would qualify for the post-season if they were in the West right now. That alone is crazy enough. Another heavy schedule of terrific match-ups this Saturday and I finally get to make a homer pick by taking my Avs this week. So sink or swim, let's dive right in:

(Note: Picks made before conclusion of Friday's games)

Hurricanes @ Bruins

By the numbers – Frozen Pool

All of the statistics, offense, defense, special teams, shots for and against, and goal differential favour the Bruins in this matchup. This was also evident in their 4-1 victory in Carolina on Monday. The Bruins continue to have the stingiest defense this season, while Carolina ranks 29th in the league in offense. Carolina is 1-3-1 against the Atlantic this season, and will have a tough time snapping their three game losing streak. It doesn't help when only three players on the team have 10 or more points on the season, and two of those are Andrej Sekera and Nathan Gerbe.

Pick: H (Bruins win)

Senators @ Red Wings

By the numbers – Frozen Pool

Both teams allow more goals than they have scored this season, but no team has benefitted more from the loser point than the Red Wings. Detroit is ranked 7th in the East despite losing 13 of 23 games, though seven have been in extra time. The Sens have the 4th best offense on the road and the 2nd ranked power play at 27.6%. The Senators are 5-0-1 against their division this season, and it's their matchups against Western Conference teams that have them at 8-10-4 on the season, as they've only managed a single win in 10 games (1-7-2). The Senators won at Joe Louis Arena a month ago by putting up six goals. Both teams have only one win in their last five games, with Ottawa defeating Boston, while Detroit snuck past Carolina on Thursday.

Pick: V (Senators win)

Islanders @ Flyers

By the numbers – Frozen Pool

Two teams headed in opposite direction meet up at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Saturday. The Flyers are 5-0-1 in their last six which has pushed them to within three points of a playoff spot in the pathetic Metropolitan Division. As of Friday, not a single team in the Eastern Conference would qualify for the post-season in the West, obviously it's early, and a small sample size, but it's ridiculous. The Flyers special teams have thrived playing the Islanders posting a power play of 32% and a penalty kill of 96.6% in their last ten head-to-head matchups. Philly's defense has been surprising, ranked 11th in the league, with Steve Mason leading the way thanks to his 2.12 goals against average and .932 save percentage (the best numbers of his career).

My Pick: H (Flyers win)

Stars @ Blues

By the numbers – Frozen Pool

The Blues have won five of the last six meetings between these two teams and both sides have been heading in opposite directions when it comes to playing teams in their division. St. Louis is 6-0-1 versus the Central while Dallas has stumbled out of the gate at 1-3-2. St. Louis average 3.67 goals scored per game at home and their power play has been a major reason scoring at a 29.6% rate. St. Louis has had contributions throughout their entire lineup, especially their defencemen, as three have at least 15 points on the season (Pietrangelo, Bouwmeester, Shattenkirk).

Pick: H (Blues win)

Ducks @ Coyotes

By the numbers – Frozen Pool

Who would have thought a Dave Tippett coached team would average over four goals per game and converted over 30% on the power play at home? Such an offensive outburst has allowed the Coyotes to begin the season with a 9-0-2 record at home. The offensive surge has been necessary as the team is allowing 2.73 goals against in Phoenix. Martin Hanzal (7th full season, with his current career high for points being 35 in his rookie year) is having a breakout year and turning into a bit of a roto monster, leading the team in points (19 in 19 games), penalty minutes (27), second in hits (61), and winning over nine face-offs per game. The Ducks have already defeated the Coyotes twice this season, but both games were in Anaheim, whereas the Coyotes have won the last three matchups in Glendale. The Ducks are reeling a little, having lost five in a row.

My Pick: T (Coyotes win in a shootout)

Avalanche @ Kings

By the numbers – Frozen Pool

The Avalanche snapped their three game losing streak by beating some stellar competition earlier this week. First the team dispatched of the defending Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks, 5-1, before coming back in the third period and overtime after blowing a 2-0 lead in Phoenix. The Avalanche are the only team in the league still undefeated after scoring first (14-0), and have done so in 2/3 of their games this season. The Kings on the other hand are one of three teams over .500 this season when allowing the first goal (6-4-1). The Avalanche and the Rangers are the only two teams who haven't gone beyond 65 minutes this season. The team has five forwards with 16 or more points, and Andre Benoit leads the blue line with 11 points. Last year's leading defencemen in scoring was Tyson Barrie with 13 points on the season. On the other side, Ben Scrivens has come in and been phenomenal while Jonathan Quick deals with his groin injury. His 5-1-2 record, .942 (2nd in the league) save percentage, 1.43 goals against average (1st in the league), and 3 shutouts (1st in the league) have kept the Kings in the running in the tough Western Conference.

Pick: V (Avalanche win)

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