The Pittsburgh Penguins looked a lot better against the Panthers last evening, but were again unable to find the net more than once. Their power play, now 0-for-recent memory, has to wake up if the Pens have any chance to rescue their 11-12-3 start, now tied with Montreal for 12th place in the East. Reilly Smith scored his first goal since November 4, just an example of how shallow this team has been beyond Sidney Crosby and a very few others.

On the other side of Pennsylvania, a younger, hungrier team sits in the second spot in the Metropolitan Division. Without a single player in the NHL's top 50 in scoring, the Flyers have found a way, especially on the road (8-4-1). But look more closely – the difference on December 9 is only five points. It's that tight. 

Saturday's matchups

Woe to be the New York Islanders? The Los Angeles Kings are here to visit – and as impolite visitors, the Kings have won all of their first 11 games, an all-time NHL record to start a season. But wait – it has to end sometime, and Ilya Sorokin ($7500) could be the one to steal a 3-2 win, while the Kings are looking at a Sunday measuring-stick game against the Rangers. For the Isles, Noah Dobson ($7200) is a great play on the back end, and shockingly low-cost Kyle Palmieri ($4300), who's on Brock Nelson's ($6300) wing and the first power-play unit. If you're an LA fan, I'm sorry. But hot Quinton Byfield ($4600) has had 14 points in the last nine of those away victories.

St. Louis Blues @ Chicago Blackhawks.  Avoid Arvid Soderblom ($7200), likely starting for the Hawks (check GoaliePost for the latest goaltending updates). When was Soderblom's last start where he surrendered fewer than three goals? October 16. It's tempting to play the entire second line of Brayden Schenn ($4700), Jordan Kyrou ($5600), and Jake Neighbours ($3900) to rebound on a back-to-back – but I'm especially high on Neighbours, who has eight goals in the Blues' last ten matches. Kyrou leads the team with 84 shots on goal but has just a 6% conversion thus far, which is unsustainable. St. Louis is the only NHL team that's won all of their games, when they've scored first. I was surprised to fit in Robert Thomas ($5600), the top line and top PP center – and two goals Friday night in a losing effort. And yes, I'll play Jordan Binnington ($8000) as my starter.

Patty-Kake??  Ottawa Senators @ Detroit Red Wings.  In his long-anticipated return, Patrick Kane ($5500) skated for 16:33 and had three shots, but the Wings lost to San Jose. Don't expect that same result tonight. Kane will be given opportunity, and will find the scoresheet. Robby Fabbri ($5300), who's never been short on talent – just long on injuries – has four MULTI-point games in Detroit's last five. Ottawa is an interesting team to predict – in their last five defeats, they've given up 23 goals, but in five wins since November 11, only eight.

My lineup:

Centers Thomas and Nelson, wingers Fabbri, Byfield, and Neighbours, and goalie Binnington.  On defense, I've added Torey Krug ($4500) to my Blues' contingent, and Adam Fox (inexplicably just $5600) against Washington. While it would be SO cute to play Patrick Kane, the utility skater is Jeff Skinner ($6000) as the Sabres host the Canadiens. No props bets for me this week, but do check Flip Livingstone's column for ideas. 

Last week:

Saved again by my over/under wager, close doesn't count for the lineup. It was Cale Makar posting the fat zeroes, not what I'd drawn up. But interestingly, I'm only 50 cents off for the season, well under 1%. 

I'll be away next Saturday – actually all week – a December vacation, and not watching hockey!