I'll be the first to say the last two weeks haven’t gone our way with us either breaking even or going down a unit.

So, for today, we're extra fired up to get back in the win column. On the season we are 25-13; let's improve that record today.

This matchup features two teams vying for a playoff spot so you know neither is taking it lightly. The Bruins sport a 27th-ranked 45.4 CF% and 29th-ranked 43.6 xGF% at 5-on-5 out of the holiday break, but they’ve been bailed out by tremendous puck luck reinforced by their fifth-ranked 102.0 PDO (combined shooting and save percentage. A stat that caught my eye about the Bruins is that they allow the third-most expected goals per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 (3.08). The Sens, meanwhile, sport a ninth-ranked 52.1 CF% and middling 51.5 xGF%. The issue for Ottawa during their 6-5-2 run out of the pause has been a league-low 4.9 team shooting percentage at 5-on-5. Boston is the perfect opponent for improved puck luck to kick in for Ottawa because the Bruins are playing the second leg of a back-to-back set, and both No. 1 Jeremy Swayman and Joonas Korpisalo saw time during Wednesday’s 5-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils; it looks like Korpisalo will start despite this struggles this season. The Sens have also won the past three meetings with these two clubs. Due to these reasons, I like the Sens to pull this one out. Pick: Senators ML (-160)- 1.5 units

Who doesn't love an original six matchup especially when you see good value in a line? These two teams played a home-and-home on Dec 20-21 with the Canadiens sweeping the series by outscoring the Red Wings 9-4, winning both games as the dog. The Habs have been playing very good hockey lately, too, going 7-1-1 in the past nine games, while posting a 10-2-1 in the previous 13 outings since Dec. 28. Since Jan. 4, Montreal has been involved in five games in either overtime or a shootout, winning four of those games. The combination Sam Montembeault (17-16-3, 2.95 GAA, .899 SV%, 3 SO) is confirmed to be starting and has been doing a good job giving Montreal a chance to win every night. Cam Talbot (11-10-2, 3.07 GAA, .901 SV%, 1 SO) is expected to be on the other end. Montembeault won both starts against the Red Wings in the home-and-home set, allowing just four goals on 49 shots. Lastly, the Red Wings aren't playing great. Since Todd McLellan took over behind the bench, the Wings lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 on Dec. 27 in his debut. After that, they won seven in a row, the franchise's longest win streak since 2012, but since they're 1-3-1, with a 0-2-1 mark in the past three games with just three total goals scored. Based on this, I'm happy to back the Canadiens as dogs. Pick: Canadiens ML(+105) - 1 unit

In this matchup, I wasn't initially too interested until I saw their recent history. These teams met once this season on Halloween in the Steel City, with the Penguins edging the Ducks 2-1 in overtime. In recent memory, the Pens have dominated this series, winning six of the past seven, while the under has hit in six of the past nine meetings. However, six of the past nine meetings have been decided by a single goal. Coming into this game Pittsburgh is 2-1-0 on the current seven-game road trip, and it has picked up points in four of the past five road games, going 2-1-2. On the other hand, Anaheim is 0-3-1 in the past four games and is 1-5-2 in the past eight outings while getting shutout three times in just the past six outings. When you factor in the Ducks' struggles offensively, their recent play and Pittsburgh's recent dominance, the Pens make for a solid play as moderate favourites; I like the under as well, as these two clubs have combined for just 5 goals after in their previous two matchups; Pittsburgh has gone under the 6.5 total in three of their last four games, while Anaheim has gone under that total in four of their last six games. Pick: Penguins ML(-150) - 1 unit & Under 6.5 goals (-130) - 1 unit

TOTAL ODDS: +980 - 0.5 units

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