Sabres @ Penguins

By the Numbers – Frozen Pool

When Matt Moulson re-signed this summer with Buffalo I'm not sure he imagined the Sabres to be this desperate for goals to start the season. The Sabres have managed only 12 goals in their first 11 games (yet still managing two victories in the process). Not only are their special teams struggling (2.9% conversion rate on the power play), but they've also been outshot by an average of 15.5 shots per game. That's just ridiculous.

Pittsburgh is on a roll and all the main players are contributing across the board. Patric Hornqvist seems to be paying dividends playing with Crosby and Kunitz already, and the power play has clicked at almost 40% leading the team to averaging 4 goals per game (most in the league). It just doesn't seem like this is the game that turns it around for the Sabres on Saturday night.

Pick: H+ (Penguins by two or more)

Flyers @ Panthers

By the Numbers – Frozen Pool

A lot of folks wondered if the 62 points that Jakub Voracek produced last season was going to be as good as it gets, after he took a slight step back when he averaged just shy of a point a game in the lockout shortened season. So far he's been answering his critics, tied for the NHL points lead with 15 points. After a great resurgence last season the Flyers have already switched to the goalie that can get them the wins as Ray Emery has managed four wins in five starts while Mason has struggled with a 3.83 goal against average to start the year.

Florida, like Buffalo, has struggled to put the puck in the net with only 12 goals this season, however at least they have three games in hand. Unlike Buffalo though, the Panthers have played great defense and had Roberto Luongo stand on his head and give the team a puncher's chance at picking up points night in and night out as evident by managing points in six of their opening eight games. The team has been really effective in clamping down in the third period allowing a league low 2 goals against in the final frame.

Pick: T (Flyers win in a shootout)

Islanders @ Sharks

By the Numbers – Frozen Pool

The Islanders look to rebound after a 40 shot effort netted them a 5-0 defeat in Colorado Thursday night. Goal scoring hasn't been an issue so far this season, but keeping the puck out of their own net was supposed to be something that was addressed with the acquisition of Jaroslav Halak. Both Halak and Johnson seem to be in a rotation with both goalies hovering around 3.50 goals against average. Among the Isles top three scorers not many people would have penciled in Brock Nelson to be tied with Tavares with 12 points and leading the team with six goals, although I doubt that 28.6 shooting percentage continues throughout the season.

San Jose is a team that has really struggled to put together a consistent 60 minute effort on a nightly basis. That could almost be said for any team, but when your 1^st period goal differential is +13, and then turns to -8 by the 3^rd period it seems like the team really has a difficult time finishing out games where they build an early lead. After outshooting Colorado 51-33 on Tuesday night the Sharks follow up that effort getting outshot 46-28 Thursday night in Minnesota, somehow both games ended up in the shootout with the Sharks coming away with a split. Finally, who had Brent Burns pegged for 13 points in October and the team lead??

Pick: H (Sharks win)