Keeping up with the Metropolitans: Week 20

Well, well, well. Look what we have here. The Back-To-Back Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins have clawed their way back from barely a playoff team several weeks ago to top of the Metropolitan Division. You may be quick to notice the games in hand for the Capitals, but I’ll be quick to point out the 33 ROW wins (t-3rd in the NHL) for the Penguins, as well as the +15 goal differential the Penguins now own. The Penguins are also now tied with the Jets for the most home wins with 23 apiece. The road record is still alarming, but not far off from the record the Penguins finished with last season. If the Pens are able to hold onto the Division lead into the playoffs, the home ice advantage could be a major factor in a 7 game series. I’m not trying to get too far ahead of myself, but with Malkin, Crosby, and Kessel all in the top-10 in points and Matt Murray rounding back into his dominant self, I’d go out on a limb and say the Pens are going to be one of the favorites for the Cup again this spring.

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