Penguins stay perfect, Islanders rout Devils: Metropolitan Division roundup

The Pittsburgh Penguins are already setting the early pace in the Metropolitan Division, the Carolina Hurricanes finally have their first win, and the New York Islanders handed the New Jersey Devils a lopsided loss. Five of the division’s eight teams were in action on Saturday.

Penguins stay perfect on top of the Metro

In Pittsburgh, the Canadiens stormed back from a 5-1 deficit only to fall 6-5 in overtime on Tommy Novak’s second goal of the night. That extra-time win moves the Penguins to 2-0-0 and alone in first place in the Metropolitan with four points in two games. Coverage of the game has largely focused on Montreal’s disastrous second period, which opened the door for Pittsburgh’s surge and preserved the Penguins’ perfect start.

Aho finally gets Hurricanes in the win column

The Carolina Hurricanes picked up their first victory of the season with a 3-2 overtime win in Philadelphia. Sebastian Aho took over, scoring twice and setting up Shayne Gostisbehere’s overtime winner. Those two points in the standings lift Carolina into third place in the division with three points in three games (1-1-1), while the Flyers remain stuck at the bottom with two points and no wins (0-1-2).

Islanders roll, Devils take a 6-0 pounding

In New York, the Islanders handed the New Jersey Devils a heavy 6-0 defeat. It’s the Islanders’ first win of the season and pulls them up to fourth place with two points through two games (1-1-0), matching Washington, Columbus and New Jersey on points. For the Devils, the 6-0 loss is a serious early dent to their goal differential despite an otherwise decent start in the standings at 1-1-0.

Capitals, Blue Jackets stumble; Rangers idle

The Washington Capitals dropped a 3-1 decision to the Tampa Bay Lightning, taking their first loss but staying at two points in two games (1-1-0). The Columbus Blue Jackets also fell, 4-1 to Utah, slipping to the same 1-1-0 mark and two points. The New York Rangers, second in the division at 2-1-0 with four points in three games, were idle on Saturday but remain well positioned just behind the Penguins. At the other end, the Flyers bring up the rear, while the middle of the Metro table is already tightly packed.