Load up on whichever team is facing the Avalanche. This game, it happens to be the Jets.

After a week off, I'm back! Hope everyone had some memorable moments from All-Star Weekend. While the skills competition may need some work, I was pretty impressed by the shots of Mike Smith and Brent Burns. But back to picks… When I last left you I had a pretty forgettable week, and Saturday's Picks didn't do much to change that going 3-3. That said, my Dobber average is now around where I am on the season: 102 – 60 (63%). So while my hot start may cooled off, I'm pretty pleased with where things are at. This week has been much better, going 7 – 3 and I'm hoping that Saturday continues as such. Let's get on to the picks!

Record: 16 – 8 (67%)

Washington @ Montreal (1 pm ET)

"Two men enter, one man leaves"… The two top teams from the East battle it out in what could very well be the most entertaining game of the day. Both the Canadiens and the Capitals have what it takes to put on a show, with Max Pacioretty and Alexander Ovechkin finding success putting pucks in the net lately. However, Carey Price and Braden Holtby will both be looking to shut the door and this game could be a nail-biter. Of the two, I'm going with Washington because of their depth. The Caps are firing on all cylinders lately and if they are to be successful in the post season (which I think they will be), it's games like this they are going to have to battle through adversity and come out on top. 

Pick: Washington – Visitor Team Victory – V

Confidence Level: 3/5

Winnipeg @ Colorado (3 pm ET)

Coming off three straight victories and looking to get into a wildcard spot, Winnipeg is a team headed in the right direction. Colorado, on the other hand, looks like a team that's given up. Other than that I don't think there's too much to say about this game, so dress your Jets, sit back and enjoy the points. If you don't own Mark Scheifele, Patrik Laine or Blake Wheeler, there's still a very good chance you might pick up a few assists. =)

Pick: Winnipeg – Visitor Team Victory – V

Confidence Level: 5/5

New Jersey @ Columbus (7 pm ET)

While New Jersey may have been hot on the road lately in winning five straight, it won't be enough to top Columbus at home. The Blue Jackets not only have one of the best home records in the league, they have been finding the back of the net on home ice with ease all season. Cam Atkinson may not have been red hot as of late, but after potting a late goal on Friday I could see him getting into a groove again. After him I'm liking the W's (Alexander Wennberg and Zach Weresnki) to get on the board and take this one for Columbus.

Pick: Columbus – Home Team Victory – H

Confidence Level: 4/5

Pittsburgh @ St. Louis (8 pm ET)

My head and my gut are split on this call. My head is telling me that a powerhouse Penguins squad is going to come out on top and that Phil Kessel and Sidney Crosby won't let me down… but my gut is screaming that the third period meltdown combined with a new coach for the Blues spells disaster for Pittsburgh. I see this game going heavily in favour of one of the teams, but I'm just having a hell of a time trying to pick which one. Tread lightly folks, as I may have put too much thought into this, but at the end of the day I'll take Pittsburgh.

Pick: Pittsburgh – Visitor Team Victory – V

Confidence Level: 2.5/5

Minnesota @ Vancouver (10 pm ET)

Man am I glad I got Jason Zucker into my lineup this week. He's helped me close the gap on first place down to eight points. While Jannik Hansen's return and Bo Horvat's potential may lift Canucks fan's spirits, I firmly expect the Wild to pull ahead early and never look back. The Canucks have lost their last two games, and one of those losses came as a shutout against Arizona. It should be more of the same woes going against a Wild squad that could be the team to beat coming out of the West. 

Pick: Minnesota – Visitor Team Victory – V

Confidence Level: 4/5

Arizona @ San Jose (10 pm ET)

Arizona may have bit me in the ass in the last column, but they weren't up against San Jose. The Sharks are on a roll right now and Arizona should do little to stop that, especially while on the road. Expect the same monstrous performances by San Jose's big guns (Brent Burns, Joe Pavelski, Joe Thornton), and who knows… maybe Patrick Marleau will get a streak of his own going against the Coyotes. 

Pick: San Jose – Home Team Victory – H

Confidence Level: 5/5