The Pittsburgh Penguins have taken the home-ice advantage away from the Washington Capitals after splitting two meetings at Verizon Center to open the series. I like them to build on Saturday's 2-1 victory with a win home at Consol Energy Center Monday night.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Situational - The Caps clinched the President's Trophy during the regular-season, but the team has won just two of its past six against teams with a winning record. The Pens are in a great spot here as they're 12-2 in their last 14 after allowing two goals or fewer in their previous game and 21-5 in their last 26 games playing on one days rest.

2. Matt Murray - The 21-year-old rookie will be looking to make a sixth consecutive start as Marc-Andre Fleury is likely to remain sidelined with a concussion. Murray is 4-1-0 with a 1.74 goals-against average in that stretch and made 38 saves in the lone start front of the home fans in a 6-3 win against the Rangers.

3. X-Factor - Sidney Crosby has been held to just one assist in the series but Evegni Malin is heating up and has recorded at least one point in all six games since returning to the lineup from an injury.

Selection: This is a play on the Pittsburgh Penguins (8*)