Gold Selection – Detroit Red Wings @ Toronto Maple Leafs – Pick: Auston Matthews to score a goal (-145)

This would ordinarily seem like a no-brainer, but the Leafs have lost three of their last four, including games against Arizona and Seattle.  I believe they'll rebound against the Wings, with Matthews and his top line leading the way.  Side bet #1 – the Leafs cover -1.5 goals (-130).

Silver Selection – Seattle Kraken @ Ottawa Senators – Pick: Senators over Kraken ($-105  ML)

No, I'm not a Kraken believer.   I picked against them Thursday, and I don't see them crushing the Atlantic Division foes in consecutive contests.   Seattle has absolutely outperformed expectations this season, but their 200-foot game resembles the Wild West too often, and the Sens can take advantage of chaos.   Side bet #2 – take the Over 6.5 goals here (+100, even odds)

Bronze Selection – Minnesota Wild @ Buffalo Sabres – Pick:  Sabres over Wild ($-105 ML)

If I believe the Seattle Kraken have outperformed, what can I say about the Wild?  In their first year of severe contract cap penalties, these guys are 22-13-2, firmly in playoff position at the season's mid-point, and have not only Kirill Kaprizov but rookies Filip Gustavsson and Calen Addison as their future stars.  But tonight I'm going with Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, and Jeff Skinner as my DFS play, and Side Bet #3 – Rasmus Dahlin to take over 2.5 SOG. (-130)

Season stats:

Gold picks: 4-0-0

Silver picks: 1-2-1

Bronze picks: 1-3

Side bets: 4-5, although I'd still play that Winter Classic upset that didn't happen. 

Stick tap:

Has to be to Damar #3 Hamlin, right?  But also to all those who have funded the charity for his hometown kids on GoFundMe to the tune of $8 million.   Athletes ARE the best people at heart.  

@dokhockey