The set-up: The two-time defending Stanley Cup champs are just 25-21-3 (53 points) on the season and currently on the outside-looking-in of a four team battle for the East's two wild card spots. The good news is two-time Stanley Cup-winning goaltender Matt Murray rejoined the Penguins for practice on Monday, marking the first time that he has done so since the death of his father. Murray could be back between the pipes on Tuesday as the Penguins begin a four-game homestand against the Metropolitan Division-rival Carolina Hurricanes, who are 21-18-8 and whose 50 points leaves them chasing Pittsburgh and the other three wild card contenders.

Carolina: The Hurricanes have won both previous meetings this season with the Penguins, including a dominating 4-0 win back on Jan. 4 in Pittsburgh. However, Carolina is just 2-5 since that victory, including a 5-1 loss Sunday against Vegas at home. "We need some better play out of some guys," Carolina head coach Bill Peters said. "Some guys might be a little bit too comfortable, there's no question about that. Frustration is a good word, an accurate word, for our team right now, but it's something that we've got to overcome. Winning consistently hurts. It hurts. There is a price to be paid. There is a physical price you have to pay to win." Carolina has scored just 26 goals en route to dropping seven of its last 10.

Pittsburgh: While the Hurricanes have struggled since winning in Pittsburgh on Jan. 4, the Penguins used that loss as a slap in the face to go on a four-game winning streak. They are 5-2 since that night. "You've got to give yourself a chance to win games," said Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, who enters the game one goal shy of 400 for his career. Crosby extended both his assist and point streak to seven games (three goals, 12 assists) by setting up Conor Sheary's goal 3:18 into Saturday's contest. Prior to that scoring outburst, Crosby was limited to just one assist in four games - with zero points resulting in the pair of contests versus Carolina. Fellow former Hart Trophy recipient Evgeni Malkin has also come up empty in two games against the Hurricanes, although he has 11 points (seven goals, four assists) in his last seven outings.

The pick: I have to like Pittsburgh here in a "double-revenge" situation and with a chance to gain some separation from Carolina with a win (conversely, the Hurricanes would close within one point of Pittsburgh if it wins). Murray getting back between the pipes would be a bonus but I'm on the Pens, either way. Make Pittsburgh an 8* play.