Penguins injuries, rolling Hurricanes headline: Metropolitan Division roundup

There were no Metropolitan Division games on the slate, but it was still a busy day off the ice, from significant injuries in Pittsburgh to the red-hot Hurricanes and growing trade buzz around the Capitals.

Penguins banged up as they chase ground

In Pittsburgh, Daily Faceoff reports that Evgeni Malkin and Patrick Korczak are both out day-to-day with lower-body injuries. The same report notes that Elmer Soderblom’s status has been downgraded to week-to-week. For a Penguins team sitting sixth in the Metro with 12 points in 14 games (5-7-2), that’s a tough hit as they try to claw their way back into the mix.

Hurricanes cruising atop Metro, off to Helsinki

The Carolina Hurricanes remain firmly in control of the division with 26 points through 16 games (12-2-2). As The Hockey Writers points out, Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Juuso Välimäki are making the most of their opportunities as Carolina gets set to travel to Helsinki next week to face the Seattle Kraken in the NHL Global Series.

In another piece, The Hockey Writers highlights Carolina’s 7-0 dismantling of the Winnipeg Jets, which extended Winnipeg’s early-season nightmare. The Hockey News, in its Morning Skate, also spotlights Pyotr Kochetkov’s historic start, underlining just how dominant the Hurricanes’ goaltending has been without getting into specific numbers.

The Hockey Writers adds that Carolina has unveiled its City of Oaks-inspired Hometown Remix jersey as part of the league-wide alternate set from Fanatics. Elsewhere in that project, the Montreal Canadiens’ own Hometown Remix jersey has already been unveiled.

Capitals eye big swing, Devils set for Markstrom’s return

In Washington, Sportsnet’s Ryan Dixon argues this might be the right time for the Capitals to take a big swing on the trade market, with stars at every position reportedly in play around the league. The Hockey Writers further reports that Washington has quietly entered the Dylan Larkin conversation, with the Detroit Red Wings paying close attention and assistant GM Kris Draper being spotted in that context.

The Hockey Writers’ latest Calder Trophy power rankings also feature the Capitals as part of the rookie landscape. Sitting third in the Metro at 16 points in 13 games (8-5-0), Washington is in solid shape and clearly weighing both present and future.

For the New Jersey Devils, Sportsnet notes that the Florida Panthers will get Jacob Markstrom back in goal for Monday’s matchup, a notable wrinkle for a Devils club holding second place in the division with 18 points in 14 games (9-5-0).

New York storylines and Werenski’s drought

The New York Rangers, fifth in the Metro with 15 points in 15 games (7-7-1), are still feeling the effects of Sunday’s 4-1 home loss to the Edmonton Oilers, as The Hockey Writers reviews a game that kept Edmonton perfect on the road this season.

Across the river, Sportsnet turns the spotlight on Islanders prospect Matthew Schaefer, as a Long Island cancer centre unveiled a room named for his late mother, whose battle with cancer he has made a central source of motivation in his career.

In Columbus, The Hockey Writers focuses on Zach Werenski’s lack of goals, arguing his drought is more about variance than a genuinely poor start. The Blue Jackets sit last in the Metro with 10 points in 12 games (5-7-0), but the piece suggests their top defenceman’s underlying play is not the issue.