Here we go, ladies and gents, the best day of the week is upon us once again. Despite another rough 2–4 week last Saturday (even with my Gold and Bronze picks cashing in the matinee matchups), I am feeling it today and loving some of these juicy matchups. It's time to lock in and make some money.

The divisional races across the NHL are tightening at a breakneck pace, as each division's top-three teams are separated by less than six points – making for some playoff-type tilts night in and night out. Today's board features 12 games in total including a seriously juicy showdown in the Six between the high-flying Jets and run-and-gun Maple Leafs (you know I'll have a pick for you in that one).

Another amazing day of our glorious game awaits. Good luck and enjoy.

2021 record:

Gold: 2-3
Silver: 3-2
Bronze: 3-2

Side bets: 5-10

Overall: 13-17

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Gold Pick
Pittsburgh Penguins @ Buffalo Sabres – Pick: Penguins – 1.5

Just when you start to think that the Penguins need to tear it all down and rebuild from scratch, the dynamic duo of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin kick it into gear just in time to right the ship in Pittsburgh once again. Shout outs need to also go to a rejuvenated Kasperi Kapanen (four goals and four assists in the last six games) who has the Pens' second line cooking right now, a big part of the team's recent success.

I don't think we really need to talk too much about the dumpster fire that continues to rage in Buffalo, but just for fun: the Sabres sit in dead-last in the NHL with only 16 points, dead-last in goals scored with 56, and with Jack Eichel out for at least another week or so with injury, it's open season on this hapless Buffalo squad when it comes to laying wagers against them.

Pittsburgh is one of the hottest teams going right now and owns a 15-5 record in its last 20 games against the Sabres. This one might turn out to be a bit too good to be true, but without Eichel in the lineup and the Pens rounding into form at the right time, I feel comfortable laying a wager on the puck line in this one. Sid and the boys get it done again tonight, by at least deuce.

Silver Pick
Winnipeg Jets @ Toronto Maple Leafs (Over/Under 6.5) – Pick: Over

Yeah, sue me. I'm betting another Over and I'm feeling it. These two clubs can obviously score in bunches, which was on full display only two nights ago with 4-3 finish. However, if not for the sheer brilliance of Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck, that goal total could have honestly been double that.

Coming into Saturday, the Leafs are the second-best scoring group in the league and the Jets sit tied for seventh. Bottom line, this is going to be another high-scoring matchup much like the previous two between Winnipeg and Toronto. Fourteen of the Jets' last 19 games against the Maple Leafs have gone Over the number and I expect another run-and-gun contest tonight.

Shop around a little bit to see if you can grab the number here at 6 instead of 6.5, but either way, don't be shy about sprinkling a bet. Jets-Leafs goes Over the number, good for my Silver Pick of the week.

Bronze Pick
New York Islanders @ New Jersey Devils – Pick: Islanders

Remember when people actually thought the Islanders weren't legit? Well, that was a GIANT slip. New York is very much the real deal. Barry Trotz has his crew playing the best hockey of their season right now with a 9-0-1 record over their last 10 including wins in seven straight games, carrying the Isles to the top of the tightly-contested East Division.

It has to be noted that New York was just dealt a serious blow with the news of captain Anders Lee being out indefinitely with a lower-body injury, but at the end of the day this team is balanced and … it's playing the New Jersey Devils, so that obviously helps.

In all seriousness the Devils are actually bad and have been dominated by the Islanders over recent meetings, as New York boasts a sparkling 8-2 record across their last 10 games against Jersey. I have to ride the hot hand here against a team that is yet again a big disappointment. Islanders bang out another W in this one for the Bronze play of the week.

Side Bets

Montreal Canadiens @ Calgary Flames – Pick: Canadiens

Nashville Predators @ Tampa Bay Lightning (Over/Under 5.5) – Pick: Over

Golden Knights @ St. Louis Blues – Pick: Knights

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Flip Livingstone is a former NHL writer for theScore with past experience at such outlets as Narcity Media, Postmedia, and Hockey Night in Canada. You can follow him on Twitter @FlipLivingstone and @Flips_Picks.