Crosby climbs all-time assist list in loss — Metropolitan Division roundup

The Metropolitan Division’s only team in action Friday night took a step back in the standings but still produced a milestone moment. The Pittsburgh Penguins dropped a 5–2 decision in Denver, while Sidney Crosby climbed another rung on the NHL’s all-time assist ladder.

Penguins beaten in Denver, Crosby hits major assist milestone

In Denver, Colorado skated away with a 5–2 win over Pittsburgh. Sportsnet and La Presse report that Nathan MacKinnon piled up three assists plus a power-play goal, while Artturi Lehkonen scored twice in the Avalanche victory. Sportsnet also notes that T.J. Hughes recorded his first NHL goal against the Penguins off a MacKinnon setup.

Even in defeat, Crosby found a way to make history. According to Sportsnet and Daily Faceoff, he picked up an assist on a two-on-one finished by Bryan Rust, moving past Joe Thornton into sole possession of seventh place on the NHL’s all-time assist list. Despite the milestone, the Penguins sit sixth in the Metropolitan with 7 points in 8 games (3-4-1).

Hurricanes stay on top amid injuries, Capitals steady

At the top of the division, Carolina continues to bank points while juggling key absences. Daily Faceoff reports that Taylor Hall is out on a week-to-week basis, while Seth Jarvis could rejoin the lineup during the upcoming road trip. The same outlet points out that the Hurricanes have still gone 6-1-1 without Jarvis as he recovers from offseason surgery, a run that has them first in the Metro with 13 points in 8 games.

In Washington, The Hockey Writers describes the Capitals’ 4-3-0 start as respectable. With 8 points, they hold third place in the division, matching what the current standings show.

Devils dominate Rangers, Flyers sputter, Blue Jackets feel the heat

In New Jersey, The Hockey Writers looks back on a 7–1 blowout win by the Devils over the Rangers on Thursday in their first meeting of the season, noting that tempers flared early. The result pulls the Devils (4-3-0, 8 points) level with Washington, while the Rangers remain second at 6-3-0 with 12 points. The Islanders sit fifth at 3-3-1 with 7 points.

In Philadelphia, the early-season picture is far more troubling. Sportsnet calls the Flyers’ start both awful and puzzling after last spring’s second-round playoff run, with analyst Jason Bukala arguing they are not competing hard enough. That assessment lines up with their 0-6-3 record and last place in the Metro. Daily Faceoff devotes an emergency mailbag to potential moves that might pull the team out of this rut, asking whether GM Danny Briere should stay the course or shake up the roster.

In Columbus, The Hockey News highlights prospect Oscar Hemming, who is aiming for a bigger impact at the NCAA level with Boston College. Meanwhile, Sportsnet and The Hockey News underline that head coach Rick Bowness has already delivered harsh public criticism of his Blue Jackets after a subpar 2-3-0 start. With cooler heads not exactly prevailing, pressure is building on a team sitting seventh in the Metropolitan.