Stankoven explodes, Horvat shaken up, Flyers slide continues — Metropolitan Division roundup

It was a busy night in the Metropolitan Division: Carolina crushed Vancouver, the Islanders picked up two points but saw Bo Horvat leave the game, and the Flyers found another way to lose late in Ottawa.

Hurricanes roll Canucks as Stankoven breaks out

The Carolina Hurricanes tightened their grip on second place in the Metro (7 points in 5 games) with a 7-2 rout of the Vancouver Canucks. As noted by Sportsnet, Logan Stankoven recorded his first career NHL hat trick, Andrei Svechnikov added two goals, and Sean Walker chipped in four assists as Carolina cruised to a comfortable win and a 3-1-1 record.

Sportsnet also reports that Seth Jarvis has shed his no‑contact jersey as he continues to work back from shoulder surgery, an encouraging step toward his eventual return to the Hurricanes’ lineup.

Islanders win, but Horvat leaves after Nazar’s hit

On Long Island, the New York Islanders beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 to move to 4 points in 4 games (2-2-0). According to Sportsnet, Bo Horvat scored twice, Logan Stanley registered two assists along with 10 penalty minutes, and Ilya Sorokin turned aside 22 of 23 shots.

The win came with a major concern, though. Sportsnet reports that Chicago’s Frank Nazar was assessed a match penalty for a hit that injured Horvat. No further details were given on Horvat’s status, but his exit put a damper on an otherwise strong performance for an Islanders team trying to stay in touch with the early‑season leaders.

Flyers still winless as late goal sinks them again

In Ottawa, the Philadelphia Flyers’ rough start continued with a 2-1 loss to the Senators. Philadelphia remains last in the Metro with 2 points in 5 games (0-3-2). Sportsnet highlights that defenceman Carter Yakemchuk ripped home the late power‑play winner and that Linus Ullmark made 29 saves. William Eklund left the game with a lower‑body injury, while defenceman Hoyt Stanley made his NHL debut.

The game doubled as Ottawa’s home opener, with Sportsnet noting the excitement around the atmosphere in the building. Over on Daily Faceoff, analysts are already debating whether the Flyers are headed for a bottom‑five finish and lottery territory after what they call a horrible start. The Hockey News adds that GM Danny Briere is hoping veteran winger Michael Bunting can inject some "spunk" into a struggling lineup.

Rangers, Capitals and Penguins in the spotlight without playing

At the top of the division, the New York Rangers (8 points in 5 games, 4-1-0) were idle, but The Hockey Writers points out that Igor Shesterkin has already scored a goalie goal in the opening stretch, part of an eventful start around the league.

In Washington, Daily Faceoff describes the Capitals as every bit as well‑rounded as expected and views them as a legitimate contender in the Metro. The Hockey News, meanwhile, frames the 101st meeting between Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin as a sign that a "passing of the torch" between the two icons is approaching, a reminder that both the Penguins (4 points in 4 games) and Capitals (4 points in 3 games) are still hanging around near the top despite their aging cores.

It was a quieter day for the Devils and Blue Jackets. Daily Faceoff notes that Logan O’Connor is stepping away from the Avalanche following the passing of his father, who played 43 NHL games for the Devils and Ducks, but there were no direct updates on New Jersey or Columbus themselves.