The best bets for Saturday’s NHL contests.

Winning % on the season= 83%
Record of previous Week: 5-1

After a great start to the campaign a couple weeks back nailing all but one pick, plus getting the value pick right (Pittsburgh on runline), let's look to get a consistent run of above .500 picks going. The parity in the league continues to amaze me. Despite some straggling franchises like Buffalo, Carolina and Edmonton battling for the basement, any of these squads have proven capable of impressive upsets, most notably the lowly Sabres terrorizing the Toronto Maple Leafs last weekend 6-2.

Without further ado, lets jump right into this week's 6-pack on a very busy Saturday slate of action!

(~~ Follow Anthony Lancione on Twitter @Anthisdaman)

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

After stealing a victory on the road in the first half of the back-to-back, home and home series, the Islanders will look to sweep the mini-series tonight on home ice in Nassau Colisseum. However, that won't be an easy task as Pittsburgh is 7-1-1 on the road thus far while are 8-1-1 in their last 10 altogether. The Pens went into Friday night only having allowed 35 goals against on the season (2.06 per game), but New York's five goal outburst bumped that up to 2.22. An off-night for Marc-Andre Fleury in an otherwise excellent season thus far, leading the NHL in shutouts with four. However, Thomas Greiss will be taking the baton tonight. Expect another hard fought affair, possibly going all the way to yet another skills competition.

Pick
Tie –T(ProLine)(Pittsburgh winning in shootout)

Columbus @ Philadelphia (7:00pm ET)
By the Numbers -Frozen Pools

A week ago Friday the same two combatants met, in what was Larry Bird's Scott Hartnell's first return to Philly since being traded after spending the previous seven seasons as a fan favourite there. He didn't get on the score sheet in that encounter (although six shots registered on goal showed he was trying to get one back for old times). The Jackets took the game, sending Philly to their first of four consecutive losses, and counting. They've been outscored 15-8 in that stretch and will look to shake the slump tonight. The jackets have been terrible this season despite a short run of .500 hockey the past week-plus. They currently sit in the Metropolitan Division basement. Philly cracks the shell tonight. Book it!

Pick
Philadelphia – Home Team Win – H(ProLine)

Buffalo @ Washington (7:00pm ET)
By the Numbers – Frozen Pools