Not a bad start for me last week with four correct picks out of six, including my gold and my silver picks. And yet, all I can think about is how close I was to winning that Toronto vs New York spread. Really, Islanders? Really? You couldn't score a second measly goal for me? Against Petr Mrazek (to whom I definitely owe an apology)? It's going to take some time before you guys can convince me to make a pick in your favour again.

But it's okay. I'll put that behind me, as this week's games have me even more excited than last week's, when most of the evening duels felt very lop-sided. Today I'm presented with more balanced and unpredictable matchups, and I'm up for the challenge.

We've got the league's biggest disappointment of the season in Montreal facing, well, the league's biggest disappointment of the season in Edmonton. The erratic Sharks facing the intimidating Panthers. A basement brawl opposing the almighty Coyotes to the tantalizing Sabres. And Philly, just trying to stay afloat. Let's waste no more time and dive into this exciting day.

Gold Pick

New Jersey Devils @ Carolina Hurricanes – Pick: Hurricanes

Last week, I didn't even dare to comment on their matchup. While the Hurricanes have consistently been atop the league since the season started, the Devils go to war every night deploying a ferocious battalion of young forwards, some of whom are currently going through breakout seasons. Their defensive unit, admittedly lacking some top-end talent while Douge Hamilton is sidelined, offers a nice mix of youth and experience. I really do like New Jersey this year, but, unfortunately for them, they're like Pulp Fiction when they were up for Best Picture against Forrest Gump and Shawshank Redemption. Had it been another year, sky would've been the limit, but this season, it's just not happening buddy.

And on that note, they're just not beating Carolina twice in the same week. First, Jon Gillies just ain't it. He's serviceable, sure, but the only way I'd be comfortable with him in net is if I was facing the Charlotte Checkers instead. Second, the game is played in Raleigh, and New Jersey doesn't have a great track record on the road. They've only won five games out of 19 when away from home, and I really don't see them improving that against the Hurricanes, who boast the opposite record when at home, having lost five out of 19 at PNC.

Finally, and probably the biggest factor here, Carolina has the very uncommon luxury of only having one name on their injury list, soon-to-be-out-of-the-league defenseman, Jake Gardiner. Yes, you've read that right. While the Devils have to piece together a team that's missing both their goalkeepers and arguably their two best defensemen (and Miles Wood), the Hurricanes are avoiding the ER like a middle-aged man whose insurance recently expired. Plus, you know the old adage, one Hurricanes pick a day keeps the losing streaks away.

Silver Pick

Buffalo Sabres @ Arizona Coyotes – Pick: Coyotes

I'm getting cocky. Picking Arizona as heavy favourites in a matchup is like playing in the NHL in an arena with a capacity of 5 000. It should never happen. But hear me out for a second here. Remember when I said how New Jersey has both starting goalkeepers on the IR? Well guess who wishes they were in that situation. Yeah, that's right. Dustin Tokarski? Out. Craig Anderson? Out. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen? Out. Aaron Dell? Probably on his way to jail. I wouldn't even be surprised to see Buffalo just play six skaters all game long. But that's not even it. They're also missing Kyle Okposo, Vinnie Hinostroza, Jack Quinn, Drake Caggiula and Colin Miller. So what does an ECHL goaltender plus missing half your offense equate to? Some bold picks from me.

Meanwhile, Arizona has what I believe is the most underrated player this year in Karel Vejmelka. This season, the Czech goalkeeper has a .922 save percentage against teams who are currently outside of a playoff spot (and yes, Buffalo is part of that group for those wondering). With Clayton Keller having had a solid month of January boasting six goals and four assists in ten games and Shayne Gostisbehere proving himself to be a valuable trading asset come deadline time, there's strong reasons to believe the Coyotes will outscore their opponents tonight and prove the doubters wrong.

Bronze Pick

San Jose Sharks @ Florida Panthers – Pick: Panthers (-1)

I've got to keep some political balance here with a conservative pick after putting my money on the Coyotes. I was really tempted to go with the over bet here, seeing how the Panthers score as much this season as Finch does when at Stifler's house. But Sergei Bobrovsky has allowed seven goals in his last two games, and, given his sensational season so far, makes me believe that he's due for a comeback performance. I could go on, name-dropping some Florida players who are currently going through impressive point streaks, but that would get me over my word limit. They all are. Anton Lundell will end up with the Calder trophy, mark my words.

Their opponents are giving their fans a season that is way more exciting than expected. Lifted by Timo Meier's spectacular season, a resurgence from Erik Karlsson and an aging but still deadly Brent Burns, the Sharks are looking like they will remain within reach of a playoff spot until the very end. But they lack the defensive capabilities to stop Florida's Alexandrian army. Their blue-line depth is comparable to that of a kiddie pool and James Reimer, while seemingly having solid numbers over the season, is unpredictable, letting in massive amounts of goals on some nights.

Ohh, and if all of that wasn't enough to convince, no problem. You can actually disregard it all. Why? Because Florida is 22-3-0 at home. That's really all you need. Go with the odds, 88% is the definition of a no-brainer.

Side Bets

Vegas Golden Knights @ Tampa Bay Lightning – Pick: Golden Knights

Vancouver Canucks @ Calgary Flames (Over/under 5.5) – Pick: Under

Toronto Maple Leafs @ Detroit Red Wings – Pick: Maple Leafs (-1.5)