With all 32 NHL teams officially eclipsing the halfway mark of the 2023-24 campaign, we're in store for what is sure to be an intense few weeks of hockey and NHL betting action as clubs jockey for postseason positioning and GMs across the league tinker with their rosters.

An initial glance at today’s board reveals what seems to be a number of advantageous betting spots with a number of heavy favorites in what looks to be really favorable situations. Buyer beware: If it feels too good to be true, it likely is, so make sure you do your research and get the absolute best price on odds and lines.

In terms of our overall record so far, we're currently treading water at just above the .500 mark with what should be a good day on tap. A total of 14 games awaits on today's slate, so let's get this paper.

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Updated 2023-24 Saturday Record (Complete Daily Record Tracked/Posted @Flips_Picks):
Gold: 6-4-0
Silver: 5-5-0
Bronze: 6-4-0
Side Bets (Located at Bottom of Article): 14-16-0
Overall Record: 31-29-0

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Gold Selection
Arizona Coyotes @ Carolina Hurricanes – Pick: Hurricanes ML (-200)

Sure, the odds are not pretty, but this one is a complete tap-in. Not only have the Coyotes been complete dogwater of late (pun intended) in putting up only four wins over their last 12 contests, but they are even worse against the Hurricanes of late.

Carolina absolutely owns this Arizona group, registering wins in nine of the last 10 meetings with five of those victories coming by two-or-more goals. There's no denying the Hurricanes had a bit of a slow start to the season when it comes to putting pucks in the back of the net, and clearly there have been concerns in the crease – but right now there aren't many teams cooking like Carolina, as the Hurricanes look to close in on the top-seeded New York Rangers in the Metro Division.

Allowing only 25.3 shots-against per game springboards Rod Brind'Amour's crew to being one of the hardest to play against in the entire league on a nightly basis. Lacking a true number one superstar (no disrespect to Sebastian Aho), Carolina gets it done by committee, rolling three effective lines that play a very responsible two-way game. The Canes are one of the best home teams in the league, they're red-hot, and Arizona is a bad road team currently struggling overall. Enough said.

Toss this one into your favorite parlay of the day and thank me later. Carolina steamrolls in this one for my Gold Pick of the evening.

Silver Selection
Sidney Crosby Anytime Assist (-130)

There really is no better wager when it comes to player props than riding with the best player of this generation in Sidney Crosby.

Not only is Sid playing Hart Trophy-quality hockey this season, turning back the clock and putting up sensational numbers to the tune of 49 points in 45 games, but he's currently riding a six-game point streak and loves playing against the Montreal Canadiens. Aside from the obvious attraction of betting on 87 on while he rides this streak, Crosby also has sensational career numbers against Montreal, registering 23 goals and 39 assists in 47 games.

Seven of the last 10 meetings between these two Eastern Conference foes has produced a total over the number, while the previous meeting this season saw Sid put up a goal and an assist while the Pens took the W by a 4-3 final. Keeping this one short, sweet, and simple: Crosby will keep rolling against a Montreal team that allows the third-most shots-against per game and fourth-most goals-against overall in the entire NHL. A leaky blueline and a hungry Crosby pushing for the postseason is more than enough of an angle for me to feel comfortable with this spot.

Crosby anytime assist is my Silver Pick of the night.

Bronze Selection
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Winnipeg Jets – Pick: Jets ML (-131)

If you were able to take in the meeting between these two Canadian juggernauts earlier this week, you'd likely already know the Leafs were lucky to escape that game with two points. Yes, a win is a win, but if not for the best game of Ilya Samsonov's career, Winnipeg takes that contest by two or three tallies.

Of course, the Jets were already missing key forwards Gabe Vilardi and Mark Scheifele and were without starting netminder Connor Hellebuyck, but they also lost Josh Morrissey in the first period after taking a shot from Matt Knies. This team really does deserve a lot of credit for how complete of a game they were able to put together despite being down key personnel. What we’re trying to get at here is this Winnipeg group is very much for real. Combine that with Toronto's tumultuous past few weeks and riding with the home team in this spot is starting to look very attractive.

Digging into this matchup a bit more reveals even more reasons to wager on Winnipeg. Not only is their Vezina-level netminder back in the blue paint tonight with Hellebuyck getting the start, but the Jets are also one of the toughest teams to play against in their own barn, flaunting a 7-1 record over the last eight and 16-6-2 total overall this season at Canada Life Centre.

Everyone and their neighbor knows Toronto's success lives and dies with their top four superstars in William Nylander, John Tavares, Auston Matthews, and Mitch Marner. If they struggle, the Leafs don't win. It really is that simple for the Buds. Currently, the Leafs power play is abysmal and aside from Matthews, none of those players are really feeling it. That spells trouble for Toronto as it battles for postseason positioning. Until that quartet gets going upfront for Sheldon Keefe's crew, this Leafs team is very beatable. That happens tonight going up against one of the best all-around teams in the league in the Jets.

Side Bets

New Jersey Devils @ Tampa Bay Lightning – Pick: Over 6.5 (-120)

Boston Bruins @ Philadelphia Flyers – Pick: Under 6.5 (-165)

Elias Pettersson Anytime Assist (-130)

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Flip Livingstone is an NHL betting and NHL fantasy writer and daily podcast host with experience at outlets such as theScore NHL, Narcity Media, Postmedia, and Hockey Night in Canada. You can follow him @Flips_Picks.