Rangers scrambling in net as Devils, Hurricanes roll — Metropolitan Division roundup

Goaltending was the dominant storyline around the Metropolitan Division, for better and for worse. While the Rangers absorbed another blow in net, the Devils, Hurricanes and Penguins all banked wins on Saturday, with the Flyers and Blue Jackets taking more lumps.

Rangers’ crease in turmoil

Igor Shesterkin’s season-ending injury, already covered on our site, continues to shape the Rangers’ outlook. The Hockey News describes “desperation in the crease” and suggests that losing Shesterkin and backup Joonas Korpisalo may all but crush New York’s playoff hopes. On Sportsnet’s Saturday Headlines, Elliotte Friedman downplayed the chances of Connor Hellebuyck landing with the Rangers, while Daily Faceoff reports that a comeback from recently retired Jonathan Quick is now “a possibility” as the club searches for help.

Devils take advantage, milestones pile up

In New Jersey, it was a far smoother day. The Devils handled the Canucks 4-1, with Sportsnet focusing on Vancouver’s abysmal penalty killing that “sank them like a torpedo.” A turning point came when the Devils pounced on a misplay by Filip Hronek and cold goaltender Kevin Lankinen, who had just entered after a skate issue for Leevi Merilainen, and Amadeus Lombardi buried the go-ahead goal, according to Sportsnet.

The Hockey Writers notes that captain Nico Hischier reached the 200-goal plateau, while Timo Meier hit his 700th NHL game earlier this month and Jake Allen also reached a major milestone. Roster-wise, The Hockey Writers argues the Devils made the right call by placing Stefan Noesen on waivers on Thursday. On the back end, Daily Faceoff reports that defenceman Johnathan Kovacevic has been activated from injured reserve after right-knee surgery.

Hurricanes set the pace, Penguins edge Stars

Carolina continues to drive the pace atop the division with 9 points through 6 games (4-1-1) after a 5-2 win over the Blackhawks. Sportsnet highlights Jackson Blake’s goal-and-assist outing and a two-assist night from Mile Reilly in the victory. Separately, Sportsnet raises the question of whether Alexander Nikishin could eventually join the Hurricanes, without indicating a timeline.

In Pittsburgh, the Penguins earned a 2-1 shootout win over the Stars. As Sportsnet recounts, Connor Dewar opened the scoring early in the third, only for Tyler Seguin to tie it with 30 seconds remaining; Rickard Rakell delivered the decisive shootout marker. The win moves Pittsburgh to 7 points in 6 games (3-2-1), holding third place in the Metropolitan.

Flyers skid reaches six, Isles and Jackets fall

Things went from bad to worse for Philadelphia. The Flyers dropped their sixth straight to start the season in a 5-1 afternoon loss in Boston. La Presse notes Fraser Minten’s one-goal, two-assist performance, while Sportsnet showcases his burst up ice and five-hole finish on Dan Vladar. The lone Flyers goal came from Porter Martone, who wired a top-corner shot for his first of the season, as seen on Sportsnet. Off the ice, Daily Faceoff reports Nikita Grebenkin will miss four months after back surgery and that the team provided injury updates on Rasmus Ristolainen, Travis Konecny and Cam York.

The Islanders also lost 5-3, this time to the Lightning. According to Sportsnet, Brandon Hagel recorded his fourth career hat trick and four points, Jake Guentzel scored twice and Nikita Kucherov chipped in two assists to sink New York, which remains at 4 points in 5 games (2-3-0).

Columbus saw an early lead evaporate in a 5-3 loss to the Blues in St. Louis. Sportsnet reports that Jimmy Snuggerud scored twice in the second period and Dylan Holloway posted three assists in the comeback. The Hockey Writers had framed this stop in St. Louis as the Blue Jackets’ first road game and the start of their first back-to-back of the season, and it began on a sour note.

There was no game in Washington, but somber news instead. Daily Faceoff reports that former Capitals forward Bobby Gould passed away at 69 after a career that included 600 games with Washington and two Selke Trophy finalist nods. The Capitals sit fourth in the division at 3-1-0 for 6 points.