The Flames' winning streak will continue and other winners for Saturday's NHL slate.

It hasn’t been a great couple of weeks for me. Not much to say other than let’s #GETTHATMONEY.

Record: 37 – 23

Calgary @ St. Louis (3pm ET)

Don’t ask me how but the Flames are on fire. Calgary comes into this matchup riding a seven-game win streak and just when you think Coach Bob Hartley is done, the Flames do this. Additionally, the Flames have looked pretty convincing in these wins and Karri Ramo has been solid as of late. I have to side with the Flames here for really two reasons. First, although the Blues have won two straight, I haven’t liked the way they have played as of late. I know the Blues have another gear and over their past 10 games they have dropped four which tells me they aren’t clicking yet. Second and most important, Brian Elliott is getting the start for the Blues. For me Jake Allen is a big reason why the Blues are getting wins nowadays, and this was evident in the last Predators games if you watched. I’m not a big Elliott guy and I think giving him the start here against a highly motivated Flames squad is a bad decision. What is more bewildering is that Allen actually has a solid history versus the Flames with a 1.50 GAA and 940 SV% in two career starts. Give me the Flames for the upset win.

Key Stat: Flames are 4-0 in their last 4 games playing on 1 day rest.

Pick: Calgary – Visitor Team Win – V

Los Angeles @ Toronto (7pm ET)

And the nightmare continues for Jonathan Bernier. The Toronto goalie is now 0-11 on the year following the Leafs 5-4 loss to San Jose in OT on Thursday night. Bernier didn’t get the start in the game but came in as rookie Garret Sparks went down with injury. As for Jonathan Quick, well he was very quick in his last outing as he produced his best performance of the season stopping 45 Canadiens’ shots in a 3-0 shutout win. You would have to think Bernier is extremely motivated for this one against his former team but how can you bet on a guy who is winless. I will continue to fade the Maple Laughs until James Reimer comes back. The Kings are a much better team and have won seven of their last 10 games. Pay attention to the line combinations as the 70s line is set to reunite and Milan Lucic will be playing alongside Anze Kopitar and Marian Gaborik on the top line. The Kings could be a DraftKings goldmine tonight!

Key Stat: Kings are 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Toronto.

Pick: Los Angeles – Visitor Team Win – V

Carolina @ Pittsburgh (7pm ET)

So no Mike Johnston yet the Pens still look bad. How bad? Well if the playoffs began today, Sid would be golfing. Since Mike Sullivan took over as head coach the Pens are 0-3 and have been outscored 13-3 over that span. I know there is no such thing as a MUST WIN game in December but this game really feels like one. The Pens have been free falling as they have only two wins in their last 10 games. To make matters worse they are without their stud net minder Marc-Andre Fleury due to injury and Jeff Zatkoff just got lit up like a Christmas tree last night against the Bruins in a 6-2 loss. The Pens will turn to Matt Murray in this one and Eddie Lack is projected to get the start for the Hurricanes in what should be a less than exciting goaltending battle. The Pens have been anemic in scoring this season ranking near the bottom of the league and their power play has been just as horrid. I have to go with the Pens here simply because they are the more desperate team right now, Eddie Lack stinks, the Canes have to travel on no rest, and the Pens are at home.

Key Stat: Hurricanes are 4-10 in the last 14 meetings.  

Pick: Pittsburgh – Home Team Win – H

Minnesota @ Nashville (8pm ET)

I have to take the Wild in this game as they are playing some solid hockey as of late. Minnesota has put up 11 goals in their last two games and seem to be firing on all cylinders as they have won six of their last eight games. To make matters worse for the Preds their offense has gone to sleep as they have only lit the lamp four times in total over their last three games. Pekka Rinne has not been his usual elite self with just two wins in his last 10 games and a .908 SV% on the season. The road team has owned this series of late and the Wild have won the last four meetings at the Bridgestone Arena. Give me the Wild here as Rinne will have to play big if the Preds want any chance.

Key Stat: Road team is 7-1 in the last 8 meetings.   

Pick: Minnesota – Visitor Team Win – V

Edmonton @ Colorado (10pm ET)

The Avalanche will be trying to extend their winning streak to five games as they take on the Oilers tonight. The Avalanche have been hot as of late as they have gotten wins against elite teams such as the Blues, Blackhawks, and Isles. On the other end of the rink, the Oilers were hot as they had won six in a row but have dropped two straight since to the Rangers and Blackhawks. Edmonton is wrapping up a four-game road trip tonight but fatigue seems to be hitting them. The Oilers are a streaky team and right now they’re in the midst of a mini losing streak. I don’t like this spot for the Oilers as they are running into an extremely confident bunch with a goalie in Semyon Varlamov who is clearly zoned in. Varly has only allowed five goals in his last five starts and all have been wins for the stud Russian. The Oilers seem to have run out of gas as they close out their road trip and the Avalanche should continue their winning ways on home ice. 

Key Stat: Home team is 11-5 in the last 16 meetings.     

Pick: Colorado – Home Team Win – H     

NY Islanders @ Arizona (9pm ET)

December has been a very bad month for the Coyotes as they have lost seven of eight games played so far this month. But the word lose does not do justice, rather, they’ve been violated over this stretch. Their last game pretty much sums up the month of December as they got lit up for seven goals in a demoralizing loss at home against the Blue Jackets. To make matters worse their net minder Mike Smith will miss eight to ten weeks after undergoing core muscle surgery. The Yotes gave up at least five goals for the sixth time in eight games this month and the Islanders are licking their chops. The Isles are on a two-game losing streak and will be without star forward Kyle Okposo but this game seems like a layup. At this point a GTHL hockey team can expose the Yotes and until their goaltending gets fixed they will be a punching bag for the entire NHL. Arizona has no confidence at the moment and their goaltending situation looks bleak. Take the Isles.

Key Stat: Coyotes are 5-21 in their last 26 vs. Metropolitan.     

Pick: NY Islanders – Visitor Team Win – V

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