Penguins aim for playoff contention in competitive Metropolitan Division
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 18, 2026, 9:11 PM
Last updated Sep 18, 2026
The Metropolitan Division features the defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Carolina Hurricanes, and numerous teams vying for playoff spots. The Columbus Blue Jackets are expected to struggle this season, with significant roster changes including the loss of captain Boone Jenner to free agency. The New York Rangers, who finished at the bottom of the division last season, have made roster improvements by acquiring players like Sean Durzi and Pavel Dorofeyev, but aim to bounce back after a disappointing performance. The division remains highly competitive, with the playoff race expected to be tight once again.
- •Carolina Hurricanes are the defending Stanley Cup Champions.
- •Columbus Blue Jackets are in a rebuilding phase after key player departures.
- •New York Rangers are making roster changes to improve from last season's last-place finish.
- •Columbus finished just short of the playoffs last season but changed coaching staff.
- •The division is anticipated to be fiercely competitive this coming season.
- 9:11 PMYahoo Sports — NHL Metropolitan Division Preview: Can Penguins Stay in Playoffs?
"The Metropolitan Division boasts the defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Carolina Hurricanes. As the division shaped up last season, several teams made surprise playoff appearances, some missed the playoffs disappointingly, and others made an exciting push for the final playoff spot. In the offseason, this division saw major changes that will push bottom feeders to […] The post NHL Metropolitan Division Preview: Can Penguins Stay in Playoffs? appeared first on The Lead.
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