Trying to pick six certain winners isn't as easy as it looks. Quite a few third period letdowns led to only one correct prediction two Saturdays ago.  Caribou didn't hit .500 so she's getting sent down as Thunder has been clawing to get back into the action. Only nine games on the schedule this Saturday as a warm up to Hockey Day in the US and the Heritage Classic out at McMahon Stadium on Sunday.  Hope everyone has a safe and happy weekend.

Atlanta @ Edmonton

By the Numbers – Frozen Pool

The Thrashers are reeling, their 3-8-4 record in their last 15 games has pushed them out of a playoff spot. Despite out-ranking the Oil in every statistical category, the Oilers are on a winning streak, yes it's only two but it's their first winning streak since the end of November and early December when they won 4 in a row. They'll be looking to salvage a .500 split on the end of this six game homestand.

Thunder's Pick: V

My Pick: H – Edmonton

Los Angeles @ NY Islanders

By the Numbers – Frozen Pool

This is the isles eighth game of a ten game road trip that has been quite successful as the team has gone 5-0-3 on the trip so far. Jon Quick hasn't lost in regulation since January 20^th going 7-0-1 to solidify his starting job as rumblings of Bernier possibly nudging his way in for more starts began to surface. It's clear that the Kings are hoping to rest Quick more for this years' playoffs than last season as he hasn't started in a single back-to-back situation this season compared to six last year. The Isles had their 4 game win streak snapped against the Bruins, and with Lawson's poor outing look for Montoya to perhaps get his first start of the year.

Thunder's Pick: V

My Pick: V – Los Angeles

Ottawa @ Toronto

By the Numbers – Frozen Pool

With a 6-2-1 record in the month of February, rumblings of a potential playoff push are running rampant. As long as they don't give up another lottery pick to the Bruins I think Leaf fans will be thrilled. The Sens have only one win in their last 13 games. Look for their first round pick to be a good one when the dust settles and more veterans are shipped out for mid-level draft picks to being a full scale re-build. Lupul has 3 pts. In 4 games as a Maple Leaf and even dropped the mitts. Look for "Optimus Reim" to get the start and continue his dominance over whatever piece of swiss cheese starts in goal for the Sens on Saturday.

Thunder's Pick: H

My Pick: H – Toronto

Florida @ Tampa Bay

By the Numbers – Frozen Pool

If Stephen Weiss gets traded than it will ensure that the Panthers will not have a 50 pt. scorer this season.  It's quite possible that they don't even have a player hit 40 pts. (Weiss 37 pts., Wideman 30 pts.).  How is that Skille-Frolik trade working out? Skille is a -4 in 3 games, but does have 18 hits *cough* checking winger *cough*. The Bolts are coming off an embarrassing defeat at the hands of Stevie Y's former club. Look for the Southeast Division leaders to bounce back with a vengeance. Rollie the goalie has surrendered 23 goals in his last 5 starts, which has dropped Tampa's record to 4-3-1 on their current homestand. Florida's 148 GF are tied for 4^th last in the NHL, meanwhile the Bolts are tied for 2^nd in the NHL for most goals scored at home this year, and are a league best winning percentage of .679 in 1-goal games (13-6 record in shootouts and OT this season).

Thunder's Pick: V

My Pick: H – Tampa Bay

Phoenix @ Nashville

By the Numbers – Frozen Pool

The Preds have the best home defence in the league allowing 2.0 GA per game, perhaps because they also rank 28^th in the league in GF at home. The Predators have a league leading .625 win % when out-shooting their opponents. After losing six of their last eight games the Coyotes have managed to pull out six wins in a row to bring them to the top of the Pacific Division. They Coyotes allowed only nine goals against during their current win streak which should make for a tightly contested defensive chess match between these two teams. Look for this one to go into extra time where Nashville is 4-1 at home, while the 'Yotes are 1-5 on the road.

Thunder's Pick: V

My Pick: T – (Nashville Shootout Win)

Dallas @ Vancouver

By the Numbers – Frozen Pool

Roberto Luongo has lost back to back games in regulation for the first time since mid-November. With their depleting defensive corps a visit from the plummeting Dallas Stars may be just what the Doctor ordered.  The Stars began free-falling long before Richards went down, the team seemed to unravel as soon as sophomore standout Jamie Benn went out with a shoulder injury.  The Stars are a measly 2-6-1 since his departure from the lineup.  Daneil Sedin is one point behind Steven Stamkos for the NHL lead in points.  The Canucks are the only team to currently have two 30-goal scorers, which is pretty amazing since there are only four in the league at this moment (Crosby and Stamkos are the others in case you've been under a rock this season).

Thunder's Pick: H

My Pick: H+ – Vancouver by two or more