Once again the Metropolitan Division remains the closest race in the NHL, with still just five points separating first through fifth.
Here is the news from around the division this week.
Le-banged Up
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang did not play in last night's Blue Jackets-Penguins game, suffering from a lower-body injury. His status is listed as day-to-day.
Some may see the time off as a positive opportunity for Letang to refocus, however.
Although he’s among the top 10 in scoring by a defenseman with 25 points, Letang is a minus-15, which is the fourth-worst plus/minus mark in the entire NHL. Letang is also on pace for 122 giveaways, which would almost double his previous single-season worst (69).– Jason Mackey, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Part of his slow play can be attributed to the neck surgery he required after a serious injury last season, which would slow down even the best of players. Letang's name has recently surfaced in trade rumors, as well.
Range of Change
New York Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault has decided to shake up the lines for the Rangers off their Christmas break. The team's second leading scorer, Pavel Buchnevich, has been designated to the fourth line in one of the more noticeable moves.
“If somebody is off, I’m not going to hesitate to make a switch and to do what we have to do to play a good game,” Vigneault said
J.T. Miller has also been moved, now on the first line at right wing.
An injury update for the Rangers: Chris Kreider will miss time to due a blood clot that was discovered in last night's game against Washington. Kreider left after the first period and did not return.
Hell of an Injury Scare
Having two of your best veteran forwards exit a game is frightening for any team, and that's exactly what happened to the New Jersey Devils against the Chicago Blackhawks Saturday. Both were players who had already missed time this season with previous ailments. Brian Boyle, who overcame a battle with leukemia before getting back on the ice a few weeks ago, and Kyle Palmieri, who suffered a broken right foot early in the year and missed 12 games as a result.
Thankfully for the Devils, who hold the Metropolitan Division lead by two points over the Capitals and Blue Jackets, both players were able to return for Wednesday night's game against the Red Wings.
Reclaim the Capital
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
A few weeks ago the Washington Capitals waived rookie forward Nathan Walker, who was picked up immediately by the Edmonton Oilers and waived again three weeks later.
Now the Washington Capitals have claimed him again.
Whether or not he stays with the NHL club for an extended period of time will depend on his play, of course. For now he's only seen a total of nine games this season, averaging 10:20 on the ice and scoring one goal.
Nassau for Now?
While making preparations to move to Belmont Park, the New York Islanders could be playing in their old home, the Nassau Coliseum.
They are locked in at Barclays Center for next season, and the earliest the new arena can be ready is for the 2020-21 season. So that leaves 2019-20 as a question, and the renovated Coliseum is now officially an option.– Brett Cyrgalis, New York Post
Donning the Jersey
Carolina Hurricanes president Don Waddell calls himself the Moonlight Graham of the NHL. His career statistics include one game played with the Los Angeles Kings, firing two shots in that contest.
This Christmas, his wife was able to track down the jersey he wore for that one game, according to USA TODAY.
“It is really hard to surprise Don,” Cheryl Waddell said. “But he had a look of total disbelief. It was like, ‘How in the world did you find this?' ”
