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It’s been a hectic week, so this will just be a brief recap...
As we’re nearing the half-way point in the 2017-18 NHL season, there’s a new, yet familiar, name atop the Metropolitan standings. The Capitals overtook the Jackets and Devils by a two point margin as of today by way of their 3-1 record in last weeks games. That cushion is anything but comfortable in the Metro this year, as the last placed Canes and Flyers are only 8 points from first place, and have a respectable 35 points through 32 games with identical records. If both teams were to keep that pace, they would both finish with nearly 90 points. The Flyers have been on fire since their recent 11 game slump, firing off 6 straight wins starting with their western Canada trip. There are no weak teams in this division unlike last year, as the Devils are now battling for the top of the Metro this year.
Speaking of weak teams, the Penguins are a far cry from the back-to-back Championship level the Penguins have been since head coach Mike Sullivan took over. GM Jim Rutherford went on record saying he’s disappointed in the way things have been going this year, but fully believes this team will have a second half resurgence. As of now, the Penguins aren’t completely dead in the water. There’s plenty of room for improvement, and no reason to believe the Pens can’t do just that. One thing is definitely proven true in sports, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. Hang in there, Pens fans. There will be plenty to be cheering for come spring time.
Until next week folks, stay classy Pensburgh.
(6)Pittsburgh Penguins
17-14-3, 37 pts; 99 GF (13th in the NHL; 11th last week) / 108 GA (27th; 29th)
1-2 record last week
12/11/17
COL: 2
PIT: 1
Bernier bests Pittsburgh in 2-1 Colorado win
12/14/17
PIT: 1
VGK: 2
The Flower Blooms Against Old Team, Penguins Lose 2-1
12/16/17
PIT: 4
ARI: 2
Penguins Finnish Coyotes Off With Last-Minute Goal
Week Ahead:
Monday December 18 - @ COL, 9 PM ET
Thursday December 21 - vs CBJ, 7 PM
Saturday December 23 - vs ANA, 7 PM
Injuries:
- 12/5/17, D Justin Schultz - IR; Lower-body injury
- 12/7/17, LW Tom Kuhnhackl - Day-to-day; Upper-body injury
(1)Washington Capitals
21-12-1, 43 pts; 108 GF (4th; 10th) / 98 GA (17th; 14th)
3-1 record last week
12/11/17
WSH: 1
NYI: 3
Halak Habitually Haunts Hot Caps Clubs
12/12/17
COL: 2
WSH: 5
Kuzy Assists Everyone, Washington Rocks 5-2
12/14/17
WSH: 5
BOS: 3
Caps Continue December to Remember By Besting Boston
12/16/17
ANA: 2
WSH: 3 OT
Ovechkin’s Missile Wins It For Washington
Week Ahead:
Tuesday December 19 - @ DAL, 8:30 PM
Friday December 22- @ ARI, 9 PM
Saturday December 23 - @ VGK, 8 PM
Injuries:
- 12/4/17, RW T.J. Oshie - Day-to-day; Upper-body injury
(2)New Jersey Devils
18-9-5, 41 pts; 100 GF (12th; 13th) / 96 GA (14th; 19th)
2-0-1 record last week
12/12/17
LAK: 1
NJD: 5
New Jersey Devils Shut Down Los Angeles Kings, Win 5-1
12/14/17
NJD: 1
MTL: 2 OT
Depleted New Jersey Devils Dropped in Overtime by Montreal Canadiens
12/15/17
DAL: 2
NJD: 5
Pretty Score, Ugly Game: New Jersey Devils Bounce Dallas Stars, 5-2
Week Ahead:
Monday December 18 - vs ANA, 7 PM
Thursday December 21 - vs NYR, 7 PM
Saturday December 23 - vs CHI, 7 PM
Injuries:
- 11/12/17, D Mirco Mueller - IR; Fractured clavicle
- 11/20/17, RW Kyle Palmieri - IR; Foot
- 12/9/17, LW Marcus Johansson - IR; Ankle
- 12/12/17, LW Taylor Hall - Day-to-day; Knee contusion
(3)Columbus Blue Jackets
20-12-1, 41 pts; 95 GF (17th; 18th) / 86 GA (8th; 3rd)
1-2 record last week
12/12/17
EDM: 7
CBJ: 2
Blue Jackets Failure to Show Up Ends in Embarrassment
12/14/17
NYI: 4
CBJ: 6
Recovery Is Not A Straight Line
12/16/17
CBJ: 1
CAR: 2
Jackets fall to Canes, 2-1
Week Ahead:
Monday December 18 - @ BOS, 7 PM
Wednesday December 20 - vs TOR, 7:30 PM
Thursday December 21 - @ PIT, 7 PM
Saturday December 22 - vs PHI, 7 PM
Injuries:
- 11/27/17, D Ryan Murray - IR; Upper-body injury
- 12/12/17, C Brandon Dubinsky - IR; Fractured orbital bone
(4)New York Rangers
18-12-3, 39 pts; 108 GF (4th; 7th) / 96 GA (14th; 13th)
2-1-1 record last week
12/11/17
DAL: 2 SO
NYR: 1
Ondrej Pavelec Steals a Point But Rangers Fall in the Shootout
12/13/17
NYR: 2
OTT: 3
Rangers Vs. Senators: Really?
12/15/17
LAK: 2
NYR: 4
Rick Nash’s Late Third Period Goal Gives Rangers a 4-2 Win
12/16/17
NYR: 3 OT
BOS: 2
Zucc Saves the Day in OT, 3-2
Week Ahead:
Tuesday December 19 - vs ANA, 7 PM
Thursday December 21 - @ NJD, 7 PM
Saturday December 23 - vs TOR, 7 PM
Injuries:
11/27/17, C Mika Zibanejad - IR; Concussion
(5)New York Islanders
18-12-3, 39 pts; 118 GF (2nd) / 114 GA (30th; 26th)
2-2 record last week
12/11/17
WSH: 3
NYI: 1
Offense strikes early, Halak does the rest
12/13/17
DAL: 5
NYI: 2
Stars 5, Islanders 2: *never-ending fart noise*
12/14/17
NYI: 4
CBJ: 6
Columbus blows lead, Isles waste comeback
12/16/17
LAK: 3
NYI: 4 OT
Barzal to Eberle for the win
Week Ahead:
Tuesday December 19 - vs DET, 7 PM
Thursday December 21 - vs ANA, 7 PM
Saturday December 23 - vs WPG, 1 PM
Injuries:
- 11/6/17, LW Nikolay Kulemin - IR; Upper-body injury
- 12/8/17, D Thomas Hickey - IR; Upper-body injury
(7)Philadelphia Flyers
14-11-7, 35 pts; 91 GF (20th; 21st)/ 90 GA (9th; 11th)
3-0 record last week
12/12/17
TOR: 2
PHI: 4
Couturier’s late goal leads Philly past Toronto
12/14/17
BUF: 1
PHI: 2
That’s five!
12/16/17
DAL: 1
PHI: 2 OT
A ghostly sixth straight win
Week Ahead:
Monday December 18 - vs LAK, 7 PM
Wednesday December 20 - vs DET, 8 PM
Thursday December 22 - @ BUF, 7 PM
Friday December 23 - @ CBJ, 7 PM
Injuries:
- 10/3/17, G Anthony Stolarz - IR; Knee
- 10/3/17, RW Colin McDonald - IR; Lower-body injury
- 12/5/17, G Michal Neuvirth - IR; Undisclosed injury
- 12/5/17, D Brandon Manning - IR; Undisclosed injury
(8)Carolina Hurricanes
14-11-7, 35 pts; 90 GF (22nd; 26th) / 98 GA (17th; 14th)
3-1 record last week
12/11/17
CAR: 2
ANA: 3
Ducks Defeat Road-Weary Canes 3-2
12/12/17
CAR: 3 SO
VGK: 2
Hurricanes Hit Jackpot for Cam Ward’s 300th Career Win in 3-2 Shootout in Vegas
12/15/17
CAR: 5 OT
BUF: 4
Jaccob Slavin elevates Carolina Hurricanes over Buffalo Sabres in OT
12/16/17
CBJ: 1
CAR: 2
Darling, Hurricanes Edge Blue Jackets, 2-1
Week Ahead:
Tuesday December 19 - @ TOR, 2 PM???
Thursday December 21 - @ NSH, 8 PM
Saturday December 23 - vs BUF, 7 PM
Injuries:
- 10/2/17, RW Lee Stempniak - IR; Hip