Picking the winners for the NHL games on Saturday, October 24.

Last weekend proved to be very profitable as I managed to nail five of six games. My only mistake was taking the Flames in the Battle of Alberta as the Oilers smacked them 5-2. Luckily, I took the OVER for that game as I expected many goals. There are a number of tricky games on the board for tonight, mainly because of injuries and goalie battles. I will try to avoid the land mines and once again #GETTHATMONEY.

Record: 9 – 3

Anaheim @ Minnesota (6pm ET)

Things look bad early on for the Ducks and Coach Bruce Boudreau. Anaheim has one win this season and that came at home against the Wild in a 4-1 victory. A matchup with the Wild may be just what the doctor ordered as the Ducks have owned the Wild winning 10 of their past 11 meetings. Additionally, Devyn Dubnyk has not looked all that stellar with a 2.81 GAA and .896 SV% thus far. All that said, I’m still taking the Wild here. Call me crazy especially with the head-to-head track record, however, I think the Ducks are vulnerable and the Wild are going to kick them while they are down. If there was any time to beat the Ducks and buck the trend, it would be now. The Wild will have to learn how to beat the Ducks if they plan on making a run in the post-season and it starts tonight. Take the Wild.

Key Stat: Ducks are 10-1 in the last 11 meetings.

Pick: Minnesota – Home Team Win – H        

Toronto @ Montreal (7pm ET)

In Carey I Trust. As I said last week, I will never bet against this guy. The Canadians have been lights out to start the season as they sit atop the NHL with an undefeated 8-0-0 record. Carey Price is the reason why… there is no doubt about that and lets not sugar-coat it. The Habs head into this game having plowed the Sabres last night 7-2 in Buffalo. Even on the tail end of a back-to-back I expect the Habs to handle the Maple Laughs and get the win here. The Leafs have had a hard time scoring this season aside from their 6-3 win over the Blue Jackets… but who can’t score against Sergei Bobrovsky right now. Price continues to be the NHL’s hardest puzzle to crack and the Leafs are probably the last team to solve him. Take the Habs.  

Key Stat: Maple Leafs are 0-7 in the last seven meetings.  

Pick: MTL – Home Team Win – H

Arizona @ Ottawa (7pm ET)

After a hot start to the season the Yotes have come crashing back down to earth. Arizona heads into this game riding a four-game losing streak. The Sens come into this one having lost their last three games although going into a shootout for two of them. Ottawa will be motivated in this one as they failed to close out their last game versus the Devils in which they blew a late two-goal third period lead. Craig Anderson should get the call in this one and I like me some Mr. Anderson. Give me the Sens here as they won’t make the same mistake twice.

Key Stat: Coyotes are 1-7 in the last eight meetings in Ottawa.

Pick: Ottawa – Home Team Win – H 

Pittsburgh @ Nashville (8pm ET)

If you follow me on Twitter then you would know how much I despise Coach Mike Johnston of the Penguins. I most commonly use #FireJohnston after just about every Pens game. As much as I hate the way the Pens have played to start the season for some reason I think they will get a win here. I’m really hoping they don’t as losing would increase the chances of Johnston being fired, however, this seems like a good spot for the Pens. Why? For one, they’ve played the Preds fairly well over the past few seasons. Second, Johnston changed the lines up at practice which will have a positive impact. Phil Kessel was removed from the Sidney Crosby line and is now projected to play with Evgeni Malkin. Additionally, Chris Kunitz was finally removed from the first line and dropped to the third. I think the Pens could surprise here and get a win after being embarrassed in their last outing at home versus the Stars. This would make sense as it would give Coach Johnston more time to shit the bed as head coach until the Pens implode again further along in the season. Please just lose Pens… #FireJohnston.

Key Stat: Penguins are 5-1 in the last six meetings.  

Pick: Pittsburgh – Visitor Team Win – V

Florida @ Dallas (8pm ET)

The Panthers head into the American Airlines Center to play one of the hottest teams in the NHL right now, the Dallas Stars. I really felt like this was the season for the Stars to finally bust out and make a statement and although still early it seems like they have finally done so. One of the main reasons for this is the play of their top guns Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin. This tandem is hands down the deadliest in the league and what is most scary about these guy is that they figured out how to produce on the PP. The Stars currently boast a potent PP that sits second in the league at 30.4%. The Florida Panthers on the flip side sit near the bottom of the league in terms of PK at 76.7%. So it’s safe to say that the Panthers will have to play a disciplined game if they want any chance in this one. Florida comes into this one having lost three straight and their only wins on the season have come against mediocre teams in the Sabres, Hurricanes, and Flyers. Give me the Western Conference leading Stars.

Key Stat:  Panthers are 4-1 in the last five meetings in Dallas.

Pick: Dallas – Home Team Win – H

Carolina @ San Jose (10pm ET)

Life without Logan Couture hasn’t been that great for the Sharks. Couture broke his leg during practice and ever since the Sharks have had a rough run. The PP has been abysmal going 0-10 since Couture has gone down with injury. The Sharks take on a lowly Hurricanes team that heads into this one having been shutout in LA last night by the Kings. The Sharks will get back on track with a win against an inferior team with tired legs having played three games in four nights. Give me the Sharks behind a few PP goals.

Key Stat: Hurricanes are 2-8 in their last 10 in the third game of a 3-in-4 situation.

Pick: SJ – Home Team Win – H

– Follow Jonathan Coretti on Twitter (@HolyPuckHockey)