The stretch run of the NHL wagering campaign is here, my fellow degenerates, and there's no better time to strike with some more winners than now. Our last iteration of picks from two weeks ago produced four correct selections out of six and we're aiming for a clean sweep today with loaded betting Saturdays set to run out over the coming month. With only the Columbus Blue Jackets and Pittsburgh Penguins going at it Friday, we're in store for an absolutely stacked 14-game NHL betting board that features six matinee matchups. Good luck and let's get this paper.

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

Gold: 9-9
Silver: 9-9
Bronze: 8-10
Side Bets (Located at Bottom of Article): 30-22
2024-25 Combined Saturday Record: 56-50

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Gold Selection
Colorado Avalanche @ Montreal Canadiens – Pick: Cale Makar Anytime Assist (-150)

Other than the Sidney Crosby anytime assist pick, the Cale Makar anytime apple is likely our second favourite regularly rinsed and repeated bet that we love to go back to with high frequency – and for good reason. Makar leads all NHL rearguards in both goals and assists this season and with his Colorado Avalanche on fire right now, this one really doesn't need much explanation. No disrespect at all to the Montreal Canadiens, who have been on a heater their last 10 to the tune of a 6-1-3 record, but they just do not have the kind of firepower or depth that the Avs now flaunt on every single line Jared Bednar throws out.

Here's the main and clearcut difference in this spot between two of the hottest teams in the NHL right now: Colorado is a true contender and Montreal's time will come, but for now they still fall into the realm of pretender. Meaning it's full steam ahead with the Makar train, especially when you take a look at his eight career regular-season meeting against Les Habitants, eight tilts in which the top blue-liner in the game today owns, count 'em, eight assists. Don't be shy about hammering this one. Makar continues to pad his lead in points and his claim to the Norris Trophy with another big performance tonight in La Belle Province.

Silver Selection
Seattle Kraken @ Edmonton Oilers – Pick: Oilers ML

Here it is plain and simple. Yes, Leon Draisaitl and now Connor McDavid our out on a game-to-game basis, as both are battling lower-body ailments, but as we've said here on a number of occasions with much success, we haven't and will not ever back this VERY average Seattle Kraken club in any scenario. The Oilers' 9-1-1 record against Seattle over their last 10 is clearly a tally that is propped up by big-time performances from Edmonton's top-two gunslingers, but the secondary pieces of Viktor Arvidsson, Jeff Skinner, and especially Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (who has six points in last three games) has started to really hone their games of late and that alone has us feeling comfortable in this spot.

With so much on the line in terms of potential home ice advantage for a clearly superior Oilers side, we expect a major prove-it performance from not only the supporting cast of shooters, but from hometown boy Stuart Skinner in the blue paint who really needs to step his game up with McJesus and The Big German in the press box. Skinner is rocking with a 4-6-0 record and .873 save percentage since February 1 and Calvin Pickard really hasn't been that much better. Whoever is in the cage tonight is going to need to bounce back if Edmonton wants to continue to push the Vegas Golden Knights for tops in the Pacific Division.

It might be a bit spicy, but this one is shaping up as a great show-me-what-you-got-type game for Edmonton – an opportunity we expect them to capitalize on against a Seattle side that really only has prolonged success against the bottom-dwellers of the NHL this season. Oilers, moneyline, hammer time.

Bronze Selection
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Nashville Predators – Pick: Auston Matthews Anytime Goal (+114)

Shooters shoot. I`t’s a simple and catchy phrase but it's also true, especially in the case of Toronto Maple Leafs talisman Auston Matthews, who once again has his scoring mojo and confidence back. Injury rumours aside, it's been clear Papi has a bit more pep in his step over the past handful of games, as Matthews has regained his scoring touch and nose for the net with 20 shots on net and four goals over his last four games.

The Leafers are also starting to cook, with big Ws over the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, and New York Rangers and we expect that to continue tonight in Music City against a Preds team that's had its disappointments well documented throughout the course of the 2024-25 season. In 13 regular-season meetings with Nashville, chuck a neat-and-tidy nine-piece of goals on Matthews' name and let's get that number to 10 tonight, shall we? Auston Matthews anytime goal is our bronze pick of the week.

Side Bets
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Nashville Predators – Pick: Leafs ML (-162)
Ottawa Senators @ New Jersey Devils – Pick: Over 5.5 (+100)
Seattle Kraken @ Edmonton Oilers – Pick: Jeff Skinner Anytime Goal (+270)

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.