With Jamie Benn in charge, lock Dallas in for a victory along with five more Saturday Night NHL Picks to finish the season strong …

My oh my has the season flown by.

With the season drawing to a close tomorrow many teams continue to joust for playoff position. However, the stakes are a little higher in the Eastern Conference as the Red Wings, Bruins, and Flyers are battling for a spot in the post-season.

Many teams will be hard pressed to rest any players as a lot is still on the line for the majority of clubs. I won’t go into depth with the stats and trends for this piece, but I will nail at least five of six and go out with a bang.

Saturday NHL Picks: April 9

Ottawa @ Boston (1230pm ET)

I really can’t take the Senators here. This is a do or die for the Bruins who should come out guns a blazing. As for the Sens, obviously, they would love to spoil things, but I really don’t think they have the tools to get it done. Ottawa has been hit pretty hard by the injury bug down the stretch, not that it matters. Mark Stone will not play this afternoon, and that’s enough for me to side with the Bruins. As long as Tuukka Rask doesn't give it away, the Bruins should get the win here.

Key Stat: Home team is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.   

Pick: 
Boston – Home Team Win – H

Detroit @ NY Rangers (1230pm ET)

I’m not the biggest Red Wings fan, and I had them to miss the post-season. However, they can find themselves in the playoffs with a win this afternoon. The Rangers could also use a win here to pass the Islanders in the standings and move out of the wild card. But the reality is the Red Wings need this game much more seeing how it is a matter of life or death. This game screams tie for me. Considering both teams could really use points, and the last three games between these teams went to OT. Generally, I would take the Rangers in this matchup, but based on the circumstances, I will go with the tie.  

Key Stat: Red Wings are 0-5 in the last 5 meetings in New York.  

Pick: TIE

Pittsburgh @ Philadelphia (3pm ET)

This is hands down the game of the day. The Battle of Pennsylvania. The Penguins would love to get a win here and stymie the Flyers, and I think they will do exactly that. Aside from the Flyers top line, there really isn’t much to be concerned about for the Penguins. If the Pens can stay focused and not let the Flyers get on the PP often, they should walk away with the win here. Crosby and co would love to end the season off on a winning note while also eliminating their biggest rival… trust.  

Key Stat: Penguins are 8-0 in their last 8 road games.   

Pick: Pittsburgh – Visitor Team Win – V               

Buffalo @ NY Islanders (730pm ET)

With a win in this one, the Isles would lock up a matchup with the Pens in the first round of the playoffs. The Sabres are no pushovers, and they can bring it on any given night, but they are on the tail end of a back to back and on the road … me no likey. The Isles don’t mind a matchup with the Penguins as they have shown that they can play them tough, and no Evgeni Malkin or Marc-Andre Fleury is always a plus. John Tavares is getting hot at the right time, and the Isles will get the routine win tonight.

Key Stat: Sabres are 2-5 in the last 7 meetings.   

Pick: NY Islanders – Home Team Win – H

Washington @ St. Louis (8pm ET)

Another situation where one team needs the win more than the other, with a win in this game, the Blues could potentially claim the top seed in the Western Conference. On the other end, the Capitals really have nothing to play for other than some individual accolades. This should be a really tight game and could be a Stanley Cup Finals preview. Give me the Blues because they need it more, and they are at home.

Key Stat: Capitals are 2-7 in the last 9 meetings.

Pick: St. Louis- Home Team Win – H    

Nashville @ Dallas (8pm ET)

The Stars will win this one. First, Pekka Rinne stinks this year. Second, Dallas is a scary place to play in. Third, the Stars would love to lockup the top seed in the Western Conference. Fourth, Jamie Benn is god. Fifth, Pekka Rinne sucks. Take the stars.

Key Stat:  Predators are 8-24 in the last 32 meetings in Dallas.  

Pick: Dallas – Home Team Win – H

Follow Jonathan Coretti on Twitter (@HolyPuckHockey)