Wake up, hockey fans! It's Saturday night again (I don't expect many people to be asleep at this time, it's just hard to find a cool catchphrase for evening time). As we all count down the days before we can get some playoff hockey again, there are some fun narratives shaping up for us to enjoy. Will Vegas be able to claw itself back into the postseason? Will Roman Josi get his second Norris Trophy in a row? Could my grandpa win the Calder Trophy if he played on a line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner?

While we're all eager to get the answers to those questions, let's focus on what's important for today. Which pick should you make tonight in order to get a nice little reward? There's plenty of exciting matchups tonight, and with those come plenty of interesting choices for us bettors!

Gold Pick

San Jose Sharks @ Dallas Stars – Pick: Dallas Stars

There remains a handful of teams in the league who are still in a harsh, merciless war, hoping to gain their chance to compete for the ultimate cup. It just so happens that Dallas is one of them. Everyone can have their own opinion regarding whether or not those teams can overcome the hardest part of the season with valor or should most likely crumble under the pressure. With only two points above the reborn Vegas Golden Knights, the Stars need to gather everything they can and be almost spotless for their remaining eight games. Especially against teams who don't have anything to play for anymore except for better draft odds, such as the Sharks.

I believe in Dallas. They've got some sparkling gems all over their lineup, mixing some exciting young talent such as Jason Robertson or Roope Hintz with a steady veteran presence in Joe Pavelski and John Klingberg. Additionally, say what you will about Jamie Benn's season, his leadership has been unquestioned for years now in the league, and while that's a trait at which I like to poke some fun myself at times, its importance is capital towards the last stretch of the campaign. Ohh, and Jake Oettinger. Still love him.

Silver Pick

Winnipeg Jets @ Tampa Bay Lightning – Pick: Lightning

The Jets are currently crumbling. While still deploying overwhelming talent night after night, these past few weeks have brought to light a certain issue in their character that may have been the reason for their collapse in the second round last year. On paper, that team is better than half the teams currently occupying a playoff spot in the West. That being said, team morale seems to be lower than ever, and it certainly shows in their record. Their last five wins have been against Montreal, Ottawa, Buffalo, Arizona and Columbus. Five Shane Wright fanatics.

I expect their April trip to Florida to finish the way it started. Indeed, after a nightmare-ish performance against the Panthers yesterday, I predict Tampa to add on to bully them in their own way. Despite a more difficult season than what they're used to, the Lightning still have a magnificent 23-7-6 home record. But more importantly than that, they know what it takes to win the cup. Finishing the season on a hot streak is part of that answer, and they certainly won't pass an opportunity to do just so.

Bronze Pick

Arizona Coyotes @ Calgary Flames – Pick: Flames

Indeed, this week's there's no pizzazz or fun intricate bets. I'm opting towards a simple, winners only picks week. There's plenty of fun to be had with all the options given to us by Vegas, but sometimes we gotta keep things grounded and go back to the roots. Also, I'm going with the unthinkable choice of betting against the Coyotes for a second week in a row. Still as shameless about it as I was last week. Why waste a good opportunity to make some easy money? To be fair, I would've probably picked the Flames against any team tonight. They are for real. From A to Z. Incredible goalkeeper. Good defensive unit. Great forwards. You could pick on their fourth line and their third pairing if you really want to, but that's certainly not enough to remove them from the elite category. And what do elite teams do after getting embarrassingly destroyed at home? They come back strong. So there should really be no contest here. Easy Calgary win.

Side Bets

New Jersey Devils @ Seattle Kraken – Pick: Devils

Carolina Hurricanes @ Colorado Avalanche – Pick: Avalanche

Philadelphia Flyers @ Buffalo Sabres – Pick: Sabres