What a week of hockey it's been! Here's hoping you had some Penguins and Capitals on your fantasy squad, and made up some ground if you're still in the hunt. Picks wise, I had another lackluster week going 7-5, but two of those losses were on underdogs that I liked the action on. That leaves my current season record at 83-51 (62%). In today's picks I decided to go for a few close calls as opposed to loading up on heavy favourites (eg. Montreal, San Jose). 

Record: 13 – 5 (72%)

St. Louis @ Winnipeg (3pm ET)

What is going on with the netminders in St. Louis? Jake Allen is "resting", and Carter Hutton was pretty horrid in his last relief. Combine that with a bit up a morale boost in Patrick Laine practicing on Friday, and I'm seeing a Winnipeg victory. That said, I mulled over this for quite some time. Vladimir Tarasenko is bound to wake up at some point, and could singlehandedly win the game. However, I still think the Jets pull through on home ice and will be looking at Dustin Byfuglien and Bryan Little to help in the W.

Pick: Winnipeg – Home Team Victory – H

Confidence Level: 3/5

Carolina @ Columbus (5pm ET)

After getting hammered 7-1 by the Penguins on Friday, lacing up in Columbus is going to be a tall order for the Hurricanes. Columbus controlled the entire game the last time these teams met and I think it will be more of the same. After getting shutout by Ottawa on Thursday, I'd be looking for the Blue Jackets to make a statement on home ice come Saturday. 

Pick: Columbus – Home Team Victory – H

Confidence Level: 4/5

Ottawa @ Toronto (7pm ET)

Never could I have imagined recommending Toronto 3 weeks in a row, but here we go. Ottawa may have had a great game on Thursday against Columbus (even with the flu), but again I look at Mike Condon. I just don't buy it, and facing a Babcock coached team with Auston Matthews on home ice is something I can't see turning out favourably for him. I'll be puling for Jake Gardiner to step up in Morgan Rielly's absence.

Pick: Toronto – Home Team Victory – H

Confidence Level: 3.5/5

Washington @ Dallas (8pm ET)

Washington has been on fire as of late, scoring 5+ goals in their last 5 games, and going 9-0-1 in their last 10. Both Braden Holtby and Philipp Grubauer have been everything we could have hoped for this month. Yes, Dallas may have a ton of fire power of their own, but I can't see anyone stopping the train that is the Capitals right now. Take the over and your pick of players as I'm sure this game is going to be a barn burner. 

Pick: Washington – Visitor Team Victory – V

Confidence Level: 5/5

Tampa Bay @ Arizona (8pm ET)

Victor Hedman is expected to be back in the lineup come Saturday and really I didn't even need that news to make this pick. As I've stated in earlier columns, I'm all in on betting against Arizona this year and today's matchup is no different. Tampa has been inconsistent lately but I'm looking for them to string some victories together starting with Arizona. I'll be interested to see how AHL All-Star Christian Fischer does in his debut, but I'm not expecting it to make any difference in how this game plays out. 

Pick: Tampa Bay – Visitor Team Victory – V

Confidence Level: 5/5

Edmonton @ Calgary (10pm ET)

This is another one of those gut feeling games. I'm going with Calgary in this one as Edmonton's loss to Nashville has left a bad taste in my mouth. Even with P.K. Subban back in the lineup, I had expected the Oilers to win and something about the loss has me thinking they could be in for a bit of a rough patch over the next few games. Honestly, I could see this game going either way, but I'm favouring the Flames at home in Saturday's Battle of Alberta. 

Pick: Calgary – Home Team Victory – H

Confidence Level: 2.5/5