Thanks to Anthony and Marty for doing a great job with this column in 2013.

It had to come to an end sometime – my incredible 20-4 run over the past few months hit a spee bump last week, as I picked correctly on only one of my six picks. However, the 71% winning percentage isn't too shabby on the whole. I'll try my best to close out on a high note and maintain my 70% rate for the regular season. Now off to the final Saturday slate of the 2013 regular season we go!

(By the way, Nice call Marty on nailing Vancouver to take down Detroit in shootouts last week!)  

Stats as of Friday morning
Winning % on the season= 71%
Previous Week Record= 1-5!

Follow Anthony Lancione on Twitter @Anthisdaman

Detroit @ Dallas (7:00pm ET)
By the Numbers – Frozen Pools

Do or die time! Or maybe I should tagline it 'Do or Risk Dying' for Detroit as the Wings' destiny is in their hands. A win would clinch themselves a playoff spot, as they'd be out of reach of Columbus. Yet a loss could be enough as well, as a regulation or post-regulation loss by Columbus would also do the trick. Sitting in 9^th place, three points back of the Blue Jackets heading into Wednesday night's contest, The Winged Wheel flexed their muscles a bit with typical Red Wings resolve and dominated their back to back mid-week pair. This looks like a Detroit team which will extend the streak to 22 straight seasons in Lord Stanley's playoffs. Dallas will look to play spoiler, but there may be a slightly more experimental lineup looked at by Dan Gulutzen, now that the Stars playoff dreams are over for the 2013 campaign.

Pick
Detroit – Visitor Win Plus– V(ProLine)

Philadelphia @ Ottawa (7:00pm ET)

By the Numbers – Frozen Pools

The extremely inspirational early return to action by Erik Karlsson has potential to be the feel good story of the year. Karlsson showed his motivation by logging 27 minutes, registering an incredible eight shots on goal, and he finished with a multiple point outing, including teeing up Gonchar for the OT winner. Fantastic stuff by the reigning Norris trophy winner! Then Sens are still jockeying for position as they'd love to jump up to the 5^th spot to avoid the red-hot Capitals. So they still have more to play for and should be giving it their all. That being said, the Flyers, now surprisingly eliminated, have nothing to lose and have been playing a lot looser, more along their capabilities of late. Should be a close one.

Pick

Tie – T(ProLine) (Philadelphia to win in SOs)

Montreal @ Toronto (7:00pm ET)
By the Numbers – Frozen Pools

This could be the trial run of game one in a series that has been 35 years in the making; an eight game series if you will, perhaps? It surely would set the tempo for the long awaited playoff matchup. The Leafs are coming off a confidence boost after a 4-0 trouncing of the NHL's worst Florida Panther's while the Habs have finally shook themselves of a five losses in six game stretch, kicked off by a 5-1 thumping by said Maple Leafs exactly two weeks back. Carey Price has been dreadful – but the team hasn’t given him much help, either.

Pick
Toronto – Home Team Win – H(ProLine)

Florida @ Tampa Bay (7:00pm ET)
By the Numbers – Frozen Pools

The Battle of Florida has become the Battle of the Basement in the East. A very motivated dynamic duo of Martin St.Louis and Steven Stamkos will remain very motivated to go out on a high note, with the Art Ross and Rocket (Maurice) Richard trophies still up for grabs. Stammer also wants to stay fresh as he's committed to jump a plane to Europe immediately after the season finale to represent Canada at the World Championships. The Panthers just don't have enough going right now coming off a shutdown by the Leafs to indicate they'll give Tampa a run for this one.

Pick
Tampa Bay – Home Team Win- H(ProLine)

Minnesota @ Colorado (7:30pm ET)
By the Numbers – Frozen Pools

The Wild certainly do not want to complete the collapse they have been headed towards over the past couple weeks. Minnesota has been outscored 33-21 on the month cumulatively. It would be a long offseason after twin monster long terms signing of Suter and Parise have really restricted what they can do heading into a season where the cap is slated to drop and goaltender Niklas Backstrom is on the open market. However the aforementioned two UFA studs signed last summer are not to blame. Suter is a strong contender for the Norris trophy and Parise has put in a decent first campaign back home in Minnesota as well.

However, 2013 has been a disappointing debut season by super rookie Mikael Granlund, and yet another unsatisfying year by highly paid winger Danny Heatley. Minnesota will put everything on the table to stay in the top eight ahead of Columbus.

Pick
Minnesota – Visitor Team Win- V(ProLine)

San Jose @ L.A. (10:30pm ET)
By the Numbers – Frozen Pools

The San Jose Sharks may have fallen off the rails quite a bit after a spectacular start to their campaign, but after logging points in all but four contests in April, they have put themselves in position to go on yet another run with the same core. This California Stand-off  will be offer a chance for the winner to possibly earn home ice advantage for round one, should St. Louis lose their game.  In any event, this will be a heated affair. Jeff Carter has been as good as ever, while Niemi has been fantastic of late. This one will go right down to the wire.

Pick
San Jose – Visitor Win – V(ProLine)