NHL odds & ends: Hockey Night in Canada Saturday betting picks

When the Toronto Maple Leafs started James Reimer in Montreal for the first game of the season, most agreed he had earned the first crack at the No. 1 job. He was the goaltender who led the Leafs into the playoffs last season and looked sharper than the new kid in town, Jonathan Bernier, during the preseason.

Fast forward a week and Bernier is the hottest goaltender in the NHL while Reimer watches from the bench. Somewhere Randy Carlyle is grinning into a mirror while patting himself on the back. This is exactly what he wanted – a pair of goalies battling it out for crease time.

After Bernier turned aside 36 shots for his first shutout of the season Thursday in Nashville, you have to think he’ll get the call Saturday night when the Oilers come to town, but don’t expect any confirmation from Carlyle. No matter who starts, the Leafs will have their hands full with the Oilers.

Edmonton has a pile of young kids who grew up watching Hockey Night in Canada, so anytime they’re playing in Saturday’s marquee game, expect a little more jump in their step. This isn’t a good spot for the Oilers though.

Edmonton is still dealing with a pile of injuries and is allowing 4.8 goals per game. The Oilers are taking way too many penalties as well and Toronto’s power play will make them pay.

Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs

Boston Bruins at Columbus Blue Jackets

The Bruins were blanked 2-0 by the Ducks Thursday night despite firing 39 shots on target. They’ll come out of the gate hard in this Saturday matinee. Boston plays a ton of these afternoon games so the 2 p.m. ET start shouldn’t bother the club following its travel day on Friday. The Blue Jackets have a lot of upside, but this is a bad spot for them against a nasty Bruins club.

Pick: Boston Bruins

Ottawa Senators at San Jose Sharks

The Senators head into the Shark Tank dealing with discipline and defending issues and they may not make it out in one piece if those problems persist. The Sharks are averaging a league-best 40.5 shots per game and as we saw the other night against New York, won’t let up even if a game is out of hand. You won’t find any value in a Sharks bet, but over 5.5 goals looks appealing.

Pick: Over 5.5 goals