The set-up: The 36-14-8 Pittsburgh Penguins saw their their nine-game point streak end with a 5-2 loss Sunday at home against the Red Wins (Pittsburgh's first regulation loss since the All Star break). The Penguins are in Carolina tonight to face the 24-23-8 Hurricanes, who got shut out for the second time during their current four-game losing skid (0-3-1) with a 4-0 Sunday loss at home to the Maple Leafs.

Pittsburgh: Captain Sidney Crosby scored his NHL-leading 32nd goal on Sunday but it was nearly enough as goaltender Matt Murray allowed four goals against Detroit to suffer his first regulation loss since Jan. 26. While the Penguins have gone a couple of games without winning, they still hold the second-best record in the Eastern Conference with 80 points. It has sure helped that Pittsburgh is 13-5-1 against other members of the Metropolitan Division, reflecting the best record for any team in the division against its rivals.

Carolina: In stark contrast to the Penguins, the Hurricanes' 56 points leave them in last-place in the eight-team Metropolitan Division. Carolina was once close to playoff contention but now the Hurricanes own the fewest points in the East and are in "desperation mode." Center Jeff Skinner was pretty blunt with his assessment after the team's latest loss. "It's not fun when you're falling in the standings," Skinner told the Raleigh News & Observer. "Time doesn't really go by quickly."

The pick: The Hurricanes have failed to win in both of their outings since coming off their "bye week" and now catch Pittsburgh, which has beaten them twice already this season, looking to avoid a three-game losing streak, which would match a season-worst. Pittsburgh is No. 1 in goals (3.48 per) and shots (34.3 per) but has also allowed 3.07 GPG away from home. The Over is a 10* play.