Why the Predators should get back in the win column, and other winner's for Saturday's NHL slate.

If you follow me on twitter than you would have noticed that I am on fire. My current godlike run all began a week ago when I went 5-1 last Saturday night. Since then I have gone on an eight-game winning streak and head into tonight scorching hot. The only way I can improve on last week’s performance is by going perfect… a tall task indeed but I am machine. Time to #GETTHATMONEY.

Record: 29 – 13

Philadelphia @ New York (130pm ET)

Henrik Lundqvist has been off as of late as he allowed four goals yesterday in a 4-3 loss to the Bruins. King Henrik has allowed nine goals in his last two outings and Antti Raanta could not get a start at a better time. Raanta is 4-0 on the year with a 1.20 GAA. He has faced the Flyers three times in his career and he is 2-1 with a 1.63 GAA in those games. The Rangers edge the Flyers in just about every department and most especially at Madison Square Garden. Rick Nash should continue to stay hot as he has goals in four straight and the Rangers should cruise to a routine win in this matinee affair.

Key Stat: Flyers are 7-20 in the last 27 meetings in New York.  

Pick: New York – Home Team Win – H

Edmonton @ Pittsburgh (7pm ET)

The Pittsburgh Penguins look to get back on track when they return home tonight to take on the slumping Edmonton Oilers. This pick isn’t as much as the Penguins are good rather it’s that the Oilers are bad. However, it’s not entirely the Oilers fault as they have been extremely unlucky on the injury front. First they lose their franchise player in Connor McDavid to a broken collarbone and now they lose Nail Yakupov to an ankle injury. That being said the Oilers are in tough here as the Consol Energy Center is never an easy building to play in. Additionally, the Oilers are terrible on the road as they are 3-9 and the Pens love to beat up on weaker teams. Both teams have had troubles scoring this season but the Pens have way more fire power and Sid seems to be getting hot with five points in his last four games. With both teams playing on no rest the Penguins should have an edge with more depth in their lineup. Give me the Pens tonight for an easy W.

Key Stat: Oilers are 0-4 in the last 4 meetings in Pittsburgh.     

Pick: Pittsburgh – Home Team Win – H

Columbus @ St. Louis (8pm ET)

The Blue Jackets and Blues meet Saturday night at the Scottrade Center for what should be a spirited affair. Columbus had a game last night in which they won 2-1 versus the Penguins in OT. I watched the game and it had a playoff type vibe to it. The Blues on the other hand have not played since Wednesday and they’ve had tons of time to prepare after losing that game 4-3 to the Pens at home. St. Louis will be looking for revenge as they lost 3-1 to Columbus about a week ago. Additionally, after splitting their last 10 games the Blue are desperate for a win. I think they will get the W as the Scottrade Center will be rocking tonight and the Blue Jackets could easily be emotionally drained from their game last night. Take the Blues.

Key Stat: Home team is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings.    

Pick: St. Louis – Home Team Win – H

Buffalo @ Nashville (8pm ET)

The Predators return home after a five-game road trip which ended with a loss yesterday in Philadelphia. Nashville is a completely different animal at home as they only managed to score five goals on their aforementioned five-game road trip. At home the Predators are 7-1-2 and averaging 3.2 goals per game. The Sabres come into this having won 4-1 against the Hurricanes last night. Before that win, the Sabres were riding a six-game losing streak in which they had a total of seven goals. Have the Sabres fixed their anemic offense? No. Carter Hutton should get the start in this one for the Predators but don’t be alarmed because he is a sparkling 4-0 with a 1.23 GAA against them in his career. Take the Preds.

Key Stat: Sabres are 0-5 in the last 5 meetings.

Pick: Nashville – Home Team Win – H

Winnipeg @ Colorado (10pm ET)

The Jets head into this one on the tail end of a B2B against a well-rested Avalanche squad. Both teams have looked rather inconsistent as of late. The Jets are currently 3-7 in their last 10 games while the Avalanche are not much better with a 4-6 record. Goaltending has been a key issue for both squads. The Jets will be without Ondrej Pavelec due to a knee injury therefore Michael Hutchinson should get the call. Hutchinson has been horrendous in his last five games with a 4.06 GAA. On the other end Semyon Varlamov has been in a slump with a 4-6-1 record and .890 SV% on the season. However, Varlamov had no trouble with the Jets on Monday when he made 20 saves on 21 shots to preserve a 4-1 victory. Even with the win last night the Jets are clearly in a funk and in their last 57 games playing on no days rest they are 15-42. Give me the Avalanche as they clearly have the edge in this one.

Key Stat: Home team is 7-1 in the last 8 meetings.  

Pick: Colorado – Home Team Win – H     

Calgary @ San Jose (10pm ET)

The Flames visit the SAP Center tonight to take on a hot Sharks team that have won six of their last seven games. What is most impressive however is the Sharks managed to win those six games all on the road as they went perfect on their recent six-game road trip. The Flames head into this one having lost last night 2-1 versus the ‘Yotes in OT. Life is pretty shit for the Flames this year as they currently sit near the bottom of the Western Conference with 18 points. The Sharks are 21-7 in their last 28 games on two days of rest and the Flames simply look lost at the moment. Jiri Hudler has been ice cold over the past month as he was a healthy scratch in the Flames earlier game this week versus the Ducks. Nothing really seems to be going well for the Flames and I have to take the Sharks here as they are well rested and at home. Give me the Sharks.

Key Stat: Sharks are 6-1 in their last 7 overall.    

Pick: San Jose – Home Team Win – H

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