As the Capitals have started to spiral out of control, losing their last seven contests, it looked like the Penguins were going to be able to find a way to creep up to the top of the division. But, there schedule wanted otherwise, and the Pens managed to crawl out of their road trip with a 2-3 record, a overall strong effort by the team.
And while they may be sitting in fourth place, it certainly is not your typical fourth place in a division. The Penguins are only five points back of the Islanders for first place, and only two back of the Capitals, so things are definitely heating up in the Metropolitan unlike any of the other three divisions right now.