Things are rough right now in Long Island, with no signs of getting better.

Winning % on the season= 55%

After going a nice 4-2 in my last column, my average has finally risen from the .500 purgatory of sorts. This week we'll dive right into the Saturday Six pack and get right to the action.

(~~ Follow Anthony Lancione on Twitter @Anthisdaman)

Vancouver @ New York Rangers (2:00pm ET)
By the Numbers – Frozen Pools

John Torts has finally arrived back in the Big Apple. A supposed changed demeanor (for the better) is now evidently a part of his new shtick. Surprisingly the Canucks have been mediocre at best in Rogers Arena, sporting a 5-5-3 record in front of the BC  faithful. Meanwhile they have inexplicably been great on the road, putting together a 8-4-2 record away from home. The 33-year-old Sedin twins continue to be amongst the upper echelon performers in the NHL, both ranking in the top 20 scoring board. Somewhat surprisingly though, Roberto Luongo has bested King Henrik (Lundqvist) in GAA (2.32 to 2.51). The spectacular Swedish goalmouth guard will fight for his honour though to prevent a down year from being established.

Pick
Vancouver – Visiting Team Win– V(ProLine)

Columbus @ Boston (7:00pm ET)
By the Numbers – Frozen Pools

The Bruins come into this one having gone 7-2-1 in their past 10, and taking five of their past six matchups. The Bruins lead the Atlantic division now and are tied with Pittsburgh for best goal differential in the eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Jackets remain in the bottom three in the East—a place I feel they've been relegated to for all but two of their years in existence. One would only hope that they remain in this zone til' year's end, so that they can finally draft an upper echelon talent for the first time since Rick Nash In 2002. In the meantime, this will be a wash for Boston. Sergei Bobrovsky had a bit of a comeback week, yet his peripherals – 2.82 GAA and a .906% save percentage remain by far a disappointment for a reigning Vezina trophy winner.

Pick

Boston – Home Team Win Plus – V+(ProLine)

Washington @ NY Islanders (7:00pm ET)
By the Numbers -Frozen Pools

John Tavares (29 points in 26 games) and Alexander 'The Great" Ovechkin (28 points in 2 contests) are on very similar production paths thus far, though number eight has been phenomenal at finding the twine, a welcomed departure from his frozen out treatment the past couple years. The netminding situation in Long Island has been of a very concerning nature, with Evgeni Nabokov hurt and Kevin Poulin doing a far less than adequate job of keeping the boat afloat. The Islanders got off to a great start to begin the campaign, yet goaltending and defense have let them down quite immensely since. The Islanders have fallen to dead last in the already epically terrible Metropolitan division — not exactly a ringing endorsement when the team leading the division, is supposedly having an off year.

Pick
Washington – Visiting Team Win – V(ProLine)
 

Pittsburgh @ Florida (7:00pm ET)
By the Numbers – Frozen Pools

Evgeni Malkin has been the hottest player in the NHL over the past couple weeks, posting 16 points in his past 10 games- including five multi-point efforts over six contests earlier this month. The Penguins lead the Metropolitan division, while Sidney Crosby has embarked a on a mission to claim his first Art Ross trophy in a few years, as he's now reached full health.

Marc Andre-Fleury is putting his best bid on to impress team Canada brass enough to take a chance on him for Sochi. Fleury has been a bit inconsistent over the past couple seasons, yet he is tied in the NHL lead for shutouts. All the while, the Panthers have a pitiful 19 points to their name, well past the quarter pole; good for second last in the NHL!

Pick
Pittsburgh – Visiting Team Win – V(ProLine)

Philadephia @ Nashville (8:00pm ET)
By the Numbers – Frozen Pools

Philadelphia had started so pathetically that the aura of their futility may have drowned out their current hot streak. The Flyers have silently collected 15 of their last 20 available points. Steve Mason is the top dog in the Philly crease, whereby Ray Emery has been relegated to Backup yet again. Mason is only 0.04 save percentage points off the second best rate of .937%, produced by feel good-story warrior, Josh Harding. Mason really should at least be in the conversation for Team Canada reserve goalie due to his recent play, helping Philly right the ship.

Pick
Philadephia – Visiting Team Win Plus – V+(ProLine)

Calgary @ Los Angeles (10:00pm ET)
By the Numbers – Frozen Pools

L.A. have not lost at home since the beginning of November (Nov. 2nd), and are really starting to get on a role. The Kings are certainly lining up for a deep run. Ben Scrivens has been a major coup for Dean Lombardi and co., coming in from Toronto for the much maligned Jonathan Bernier and seizing the moments like we haven't seen in quite some time for a bright-eyed newbie. Scrivens is leading the NHL in both GAA and Sv Percentage. Instance outputs, though one inevitably must wonder just how sustainable this is. Jeff Carter's return has been quite a boost to the lineup, although Tyler Toffli seems to be negatively affected, having to accept less minutes

Pick
Los Angeles – Visiting Team Win Plus – V (ProLine)

Happy betting this week everyone!

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