Take a deep breath and exhale, hockey heads. The NHL is absolutely buzzing right now and that's going to have an impact on odds, lines, and of course game results – to be honest, it's been hard to keep up. Three-team trades shaking up both conferences, major injuries, hey, even Tony DeAngelo is back.

Complete 2024-25 Saturday Record (Daily Record Tracked/Posted @Flips_Picks):

Gold: 6-7
Silver: 8-5
Bronze: 6-7
Side Bets (Located at Bottom of Article): 23-15
2024-25 Combined Saturday Record: 43-34

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Gold Selection
Nashville Predators @ Anaheim Ducks – Pick: Over 5.5 (-134)

For a majority of the season the Nashville Predators were a team that struggled mightily to generate scoring chances and one that was quickly turning into one of the bigger disappointments after loading up on offseason studs. However, the past weeks have seen the Preds go from hunted to hunter in less than month as Nashville is racking up wins and goals like they're going out of style. Nashville has scored a staggering 27 total combined goals over their current five-game win streak and are starting to look like a club that could make some noise down the stretch while pushing for a wild-card playoff spot.

The total has gone over the number in four of the last five games in which the Ducks have hosted the Preds and we absolutely love the fact that the number here currently sits at 5.5, which honestly does not make a ton of sense considering recent play from both offenses and the historical trend pointing to another high-scoring affair between two clubs that also sit in the bottom half of the league in goals against.

This one almost feels too good to be true, but we're riding with it anyway. Ducks and Preds go over the number in a hurry for our lock of the night.

Silver Selection
Carolina Hurricanes @ New York Islanders – Pick: Hurricanes ML (-230)

No disrespect to Martin Necas, but the Carolina Hurricanes just swung for the fences and hit a massive home run. Credit due to relatively new GM Eric Tulsky, who pulls off a nice piece of work here to reel in something the Hurricanes have been sorely missing while falling short in the conference final three times since 2009: A game-changing clutch-performing superstar.

Don't get it twisted. That is exactly what Mikko Rantanen is. A player that's scored 431 points over his last 338 regular-season games – good enough for fifth-most in the entire NHL over that time. Simply put, his impact on this team could be tremendous on a group that's already clicking offensively. The Hurricanes are sitting fourth in total goals for and have reeled off wins in six of their last eight.

Sure, the New York Islanders have three straight wins of their own, but those victories came over the Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets, and San Jose Sharks, so take that with a grain of salt. Let's hammer a team that has all the positive vibes in the world flowing right now, both on and off the ice. The Canes have points in eight of their last 10 tilts against New York and we like that trend to continue tonight on Long Island with another big win for a juiced Carolina group.

Bronze Selection
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Ottawa Senators – Pick: Auston Matthews Anytime Goal (+100)

This season might have been somewhat derailed by lingering health issues, but this is the most dangerous Auston Matthews has looked all year. Right now, 34 is scoring from everywhere: slick stick-handling-type goals to leave goalies undressed, one-timer bangers off his back heel, and five-hole snipes just off the ice. Name it and Matthews has been getting it done and then some.

Papi has reeled off eight goals in his last eight games and is currently on a five-game scoring streak. He's heading into a matchup on an Ottawa Senators team he's historically had sensational numbers against since entering the NHL. Remember that he dropped a four-piece against the Sens in his first-ever game. Matthews also flaunts 24 goals in 33 regular-season games against the Sens, so expect him to keep cooking tonight in the Nation's Capital.

Side Bets
Tampa Bay Lightning @ Detroit Red Wings – Pick: Lightning ML (-142)
Dallas Stars @ St. Louis Blues – Pick: Stars ML (-134)
L.A. Kings @ Columbus Blue Jackets – Pick: Over 5.5 (-118)

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.