The set-up: The Pittsburgh Penguins may be the two-time defending champions but at just 20-18-3 (43 points), they are looking up in the Metropolitan Division at every team but the 16-15-8 (40 points) Philadelphia Flyers. The Pens are seventh in the eight-team division and will welcome the 18-13-8 Carolina Panthers to town, a team which currently sits in fifth-place, with 44 points. A 5-1 victory at Philadelphia on Tuesday prevented Pittsburgh from falling into the basement of the division and the Penguins will now try to win consecutive games for the first time in more than a month.The Hurricanes are in the midst of a brutal schedule as they prepare to play the opener of a four-game road trip. Carolina followed a 7-1-0 stretch with one-goal losses to St. Louis and Washington and the Panthers will now visit three of the best teams in the Eastern Conference (Boston, Tampa Bay and Washington), after Thursday's contest.

Carolina: Victor Rask scored three times in a 23-game stretch before notching six goals in his last 13 contests. Rask scored his ninth and 10th goals in Tuesday's 5-4 overtime loss at Washington.Carolina was not exactly at the top of prognosticators' lists as Stanley Cup contenders entering the season but the etam's 7-2-1 run over its past 10 games has boosted the Hurricanes into the final wild-card spot in the East. Hurricanes center Lucas Wallmark left the Washington loss after taking a skate to the groin. "He's sore and doubtful for (Wednesday)," head coach Peters said, adding that Wallmark wasn't cut.
Carolina captain Jordan Staal sat out practice Wednesday with what Peters called a maintenance day. Also, Carolina placed Marcus Kruger (lower body) on injured reserve and recalled fellow C Aleksi Saarela from Charlotte of the American Hockey League.

Pittsburgh: The Pens received a boost on the blue line with the returns of Kris Letang and Justin Schultz, who were sidelined for three and 11 games, respectively, due to lower-body injuries. "When they're not in our lineup, it's fairly evident we don't come out of our end zone as clean," head coach Mike Sullivan told reporters. "They're both mobile guys. They can get back to pucks quickly." The Penguins had won just three of nine before the 5-1-win Tuesday at Philadelphia. Sure, Pittsburgh had a rousing 5-4 shootout win against Columbus in which they overcame three two-goal deficits on Dec. 27th, but then came a dud Friday with 2-1 loss at Carolina, followed by a 4-1 loss at Detroit..

The pick:The teams are taking opposite approaches with their schedule. The Penguins canceled practice Wednesday and will hold a morning skate. The Hurricanes practiced briefly before flying to Pittsburgh and Peters indicated they probably won't hold a full morning skate. Matt Murray will get the start in net for Pittsburgh, after Tristan Jarry was hurt against the Flyers. Thge good news for Pittsburgh fans (bettors) is that Murray went 3-0-0 with six goals allowed in four appearances versus the Hurricanes last season. Make Pittsburgh an 8* play.