The NHL season has been on pause since Feb. 6 for the Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. No one expected the Pittsburgh Penguins to be in second place in the Metropolitan Division at this point in the season. If the Penguins return from the break with the same intensity they have had, they will earn a spot in the postseason. However, there are a few teams in the Metro who could challenge the team for their playoff spot.
Washington Capitals
Last season, the Washington Capitals went on a run that no one saw coming. They earned 111 points and made it to the second round of the playoffs, where they were eliminated by the Carolina Hurricanes. This season has been a bit of a different story for the Capitals. They are currently in fifth place in the Metro and have struggled through most of the season.
The Capitals have had a hard time staying healthy and a hard time scoring. They are not completely out of time; however, the teams that are in front of them have games in hand. There is a chance they could make a last-minute playoff surge, and the Penguins need to keep an eye on them.
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets have been on a hot streak lately. On Jan. 12, Rick Bowness took over as head coach, and the Blue Jackets have won 10 of their first 11 games under Bowness. They are only four points away from third place in the Metro and the final wild card spot.
Lately, the Blue Jackets have been shooting more and have been doing better at holding onto leads in the third period. They have also been playing a more aggressive style, especially in the defensive zone. There is a chance they will make some big moves by the trade deadline in order to chase a playoff spot. Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas should definitely be watching them closely.
New York Islanders
If there is one team that always seems to have the Penguins’ number, it’s the New York Islanders. The Islanders currently sit in third place in the Metro with 69 points, just one point behind Pittsburgh. One of their biggest question marks right now is Jonathan Drouin. Drouin signed with the Islanders last summer and has been struggling for most of the season.
In 51 games, he has three goals and 17 assists. His two-year contract with New York carries an average annual value (AAV) of $4 million. With his scoring troubles, general manager Mathieu Darche may look to move him at the trade deadline.
New York has one of the most elite goaltenders in the league right now in Ilya Sorokin. That, coupled with the fact that they only sent two players to the Winter Games, could spell trouble for the Penguins. Players like Mat Barzal, Matthew Schaefer and Emil Heineman will come back from the break fully rested.
The Islanders have 24 games left in the regular season, and sixteen of those games are against Eastern Conference opponents. There is no doubt the team has an uphill battle, but with all the time they have had to rest and recover, they could definitely threaten Pittsburgh’s postseason hopes.
Penguins Have to Stay Sharp
Pittsburgh sent Sidney Crosby, Erik Karlsson, Rickard Rakell and Arturs Silovs to the Winter Games. Crosby sustained a lower-body injury in Team Canada’s 4-3 overtime win against Team Czechia on Feb. 18. His status is still unclear, but it is probably safe to say he is not going to be at 100%.
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The Penguins are going to need the rest of their lineup to step up and finish the regular season out strong to secure their place in the postseason. Their first two games back from the break will be against their Metro Division rivals, the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers. Neither the Rangers nor the Devils has done well this season, but that does not mean Pittsburgh should take either team lightly.
