After another big 5-1 week for our picks last Saturday, we're ready and raring to dive into another entertaining evening of hockey action loaded with juicy betting spots to target. With only one game on the NHL schedule Friday, we're in store for a jam-packed betting board that features 15 games to choose from today.

It has to be noted that there are a number of playoff-clinching scenarios on the line this fine Saturday, which will obviously play into how we analyze our favorite matchups. Let's keep this loot train running all the way into the NHL postseason.

We're keeping all of our breakdowns short and sweet this week so you can get back to your afternoon slate of gambling action. As always: do your research, pick your spots, and good luck.

Updated 2023-24 Saturday Record (Complete Daily Record Tracked/Posted @Flips_Picks):
Gold: 12-5-0
Silver: 10-7-0
Bronze: 10-7-0
Side Bets (Located at Bottom of Article) : 28-23-0
Overall Record: 60-42-0

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Gold Selection
Pittsburgh Penguins @ Columbus Blue Jackets – Pick: Sidney Crosby Anytime Assist (-125)

Few bets in our weekly Saturday wagering rundowns hit as frequently as Sidney Crosby player props. What else needs to be said about the most-complete player of this generation? Sid is one of the best to ever lace 'em up and despite the Penguins future being somewhat murky, the present picture for Crosby is clear in terms of his ability to produce: 87 is still an elite-level talent capable of putting a team on his back. Yes, the Penguins' season is cooked, but that doesn't mean we can't still capitalize on some advantageous betting angles when it comes to Crosby – especially when he's going up against the likes of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Captain Canada had two assists earlier this week in Pittsburgh's victory over the Jackets, a win that pushed Pittsburgh's recent record against Columbus to an impressive 11-1 over their last 12 matchups. As for Crosby's head-to-head numbers against CBJ, shocker, he has a sensational track record in Cannon Country to the tune of 20 goals and 39 assists in 41 regular-season meetings. Nasty.

Crosby rides into this one with seven apples in his last three and he adds a few more to his bag tonight against one of the worst teams in the NHL. Lock it in for my gold pick of the evening.

Silver Selection
New York Islanders @ Tampa Bay Lightning – Pick: Lightning ML (-160)

Straight up, the New York Islanders just don't have what it takes to be a postseason team with the makeup of its current roster. Are they close? Sure. Do they have a franchise-worthy goaltender capable of carrying them on a run? When Ilya Sorokin is on top of his game, likely. But after that, there are a lot of issues to be addressed before this club can be considered a serious contender. On the other side of the puck, you have a team in the Tampa Bay Lightning who have been contenders for the better part of 15 seasons.

Tampa has assuredly gone through ups-and-downs this campaign and Andrei Vasilevskiy is going to need to improve on his current form (2.90 goals-against average and .898 save percentage) if the team wants to take another proper run with its current core, but this is a dangerous and balanced group. One that's also extremely well-coached with Jon Cooper entrenched behind the Bolts' bench for his 11th season. In his previous 10 campaigns in South Florida, Tampa only missed out on the postseason once and have two Cup banners to show for it. Moral of the story, don't sleep on the Bolts.

As for the head-to-head here and laying a wager, the Bolts have points in eight of their last 10 meetings with the Isles, including seven wins. The Islanders are also a bad road team with a poor track record in recent games at Amalie Arena, as New York has lost its last six trips to Tampa.

The Isles are 3-6-1 in their last 10 overall and another loss or two will have this group fading out to the fairways. Lightning, moneyline, lock it in for Saturday's silver selection.

Bronze Selection
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Buffalo Sabres – Pick: Over 6.5 (-115)

This one doesn't really need too much explanation. Looks like an over, smells like an over … Anyway, how about a stat or two to actually back this angle up as a really good spot to wager on, what should be, a run-and-gun type tilt from the opening puck drop. The last three matchups between these QEW rivals have produced 25 total goals with two of them going well over the number and both the Leafs and Sabres have been involved in multiple crooked-number games over the past week-and-change.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has been struggling of late in Buffalo's blue paint, registering a 2-3-0 record to go along with a woeful .871 SV.% and the Maple Leafs have the tendency to let their foot off the gas in key moments while allowing goals in bunches. This one is shaping up to be a long night for whoever's working the goal horn in Buffalo tonight. Hammertime on the over and thank us later. 

Side Bets
Carolina Hurricanes @ Montreal Canadiens – Pick: Under 6 (-115)
Anaheim Ducks @ Edmonton Oilers – Pick: Connor McDavid Over 1.5 Points (-170)
Nashville Predators @ Colorado Avalanche – Pick: Avalanche ML (-175)

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.