Not even Ben Scrivens can slow the Boston Bruins down

Stats as of Friday morning
Winning % on the season= 55%
Previous Week Record= 5-1!

(~~ Follow Anthony Lancione on Twitter @Anthisdaman)

Weeee're back! After toiling at a pick success rate of more or less  .500 over the past month and half, both Marty & I are coming off five of six weeks—with both of us one off of the sweep in successive weeks. I'll aim to take the sizzling baton and keep it hot this Saturday. Lets get right to it!

Edmonton @ Boston (1:00pm ET)
By the Numbers – Frozen Pools

The Atlantic Division leaders will have no problem disposing of the raw and enigmatic Oiler kids. However, I must warn against jumping on the runline as a multiple-goal win may be hard to come by, aside from an empty netter; given the wavelength ex-Leaf and ex-King , Ben Scrivens is riding this week. After stumbling through the gates in GretzkyLand, Scrivens has been on fire, especially a record-shattering 59-save shutout against the contending Sharks. However, the bruins are firing on all cylinders, with the emergence of the Milan Lucic – David Krejci – Jarome Iginla line hitting their stride, not to mention Big Z and pesky Marchand shaking off poor first halves. The aforementioned trio has combined for 17 points this week alone.

Pick
Boston – Home Win– H(ProLine)

Ottawa @ Toronto (7:00pm ET)

By the Numbers – Frozen Pools

The Battle of Ontario returns to the forefront, despite the hatred between the squads simmering in recent years. The Leafs' roster has been fully turned over for a while now, post-playoff war days; especially with Alfy gone this season. Recently, the Leafs have shaken off a dry run, scoring goals at will these days, taking eight of 10 and looking for their second significant winning streak over the past couple weeks. Bernier should get the nod, as he's been money of late closing games down (despite occasional shaky starts).

Bobbv Ryan certainly hasn't shown much revenge to Team USA staff on the ice since his snub, only recording his second goal since the announcement nearly a month ago. Toronto is playing with plenty of confidence right now and expect the results to continue to flow in, solidifying their playoff spot.

Pick

Toronto – Home Win– H(ProLine)

Pittsburgh @ Phoenix (8:00pm ET)
By the Numbers – Frozen Pools

The penguins are finally healthy (Role-playing Pascal Dupuis aside)—a scary thought. Sure, there's the school of thought that Evgeni Malkin plays better when Sid's out, but I don't care much for the conspiracy theorists at the moment. Malkin missed a month yet still sits 16th in scoring and Sid is actually having a career year—as consistent as ever. The Pens have earned 15 of 20 points over their last ten, and I don't expect that pace to waver one bit all year as they run away with the first seed in the East. The Coyotes have overachieved for a while, but are now out of the playoffs, and to stay for 2013-14; after more than enough mediocrity from Mike Smith has been tolerated thus far. Thomas Greiss should start to nip at that crease more going forward. But this desert hopeful will likely leave the Jobing.com arena disappointed on this night.  

Pick
Pittsburgh – Visitor Team Win – V(ProLine)

Minnesota @ Calgary (10:00pm ET)
By the Numbers – Frozen Pools

Minny has been the model of consistent inconsistency the past half month, not putting up a streak of any kind (winning or losing) since January 16th. However, the offensive tides seem to be changing with the return of newly appointed Team USA Captain and hometown hero, Zach Parise. The superstar put up a silly seven points over the last two, with young, flashy Finn, Mikael Granlund getting in on the action with five points in the last pair and a four game point streak to boot. The Flames, however, shockingly have put together an impressive four game winning streak, with 17 goals over that span—hardly what we've come to project for a generally inept lineup. It's a mirage though; don't fool yourselves. It will end tonight!

Pick
Minnesota – Visitor Team Win Plus – H+(ProLine)

Dallas @ Anaheim (10:00pm ET)
By the Numbers – Frozen Pools

Anaheim remains an unequivocal beast at home with a 22-2-2 record well past the midway point now, despite only dropping their first two regulation games on home ice after New Year's Eve. They remain  hot overall taking seven of their past 10, sitting pretty on top of the NHL. The goal differential between Anaheim and division rival Dallas is a ridiculous 57 goal spread. The Stars, losers of their past couple, will try to put a dent into that. Just don't expect it to go down like that without Kari Lehtonen putting up another recent flawless performance.

Pick
Anaheim – Home Win – H(ProLine)

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

Both Western Conference giants appear to have a lost some wind from their sails of late, losing a bit of their world-beater ways. The Hawks for one just snapped a dreadful four game losing streak, including brutal losses to the lowly Flames & Jets as well as the two prior to the rival Wings & Wild. The month of January as a whole has not been what we've come to expect from the champs, going a mediocre 5-3-6. Points for losses or not, Chicago only won four games all month!! The Sharks meanwhile, haven't fared much better losing each of their past three outings. Something's gotta give right? I say it goes right down to the wire before one slump finally ends with a big win and one trudges on further.  

Pick
Tie – T(ProLine)(San Jose wins in Shootouts)

Best o' luck peeps!

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