Weekly Metropolitan Division Snapshot: 2/12 - 2/18

This past week saw the Capitals and Rangers take a full 8 points from 4 games, the Blue Jackets and Penguins continue to engage in a tight battle for 2nd and 3rd in the division, and the Hurricanes fall to last in the division with the Islanders and Devils jumping over them.

First, let's focus on the top 3 teams. Washington defeated Los Angeles, Carolina, Detroit, and Anaheim last week to extend their winning streak to 6 games, dating back to the beginning of the month. Columbus defeated Detroit on Tuesday and Saturday with a loss to Vancouver sandwiched in-between on Thursday. Pittsburgh lost to Calgary in a shootout on Tuesday, defeated Colorado on Thursday, and fell in overtime to Arizona on Saturday.

Moving on to the 2 teams in the middle of the division we have the Rangers and Flyers. New York defeated Calgary, Anaheim, Nashville, and Colorado last week to extend their winning streak to 5 games dating back to the beginning of the month. Philadelphia lost to St. Louis on Monday, the Islanders on Thursday, and defeated San Jose in overtime on Saturday.

Now to the bottom 3 teams. The Islanders defeated Toronto in overtime on Monday, the Flyers on Thursday, and fell to Ottawa on Saturday. The Devils won their only game of the week on Monday, defeating Buffalo 2-1. The Hurricanes lost to Washington on Tuesday and Dallas on Saturday to fall to the bottom of the standings.

Here is the upcoming schedule of games; all games within the division are in bold.

It's another busy week for the Metropolitan Division. On Sunday the Islanders will take on the Avalanche while the Devils take on the Sharks.

Monday sees the Rangers and Blue Jackets square off in a divisional matchup with key points on the line.

Tuesday has more action with the Penguins taking on the Canucks, the Islanders facing the Maple Leafs, and the Devils looking to grab points from the Avalanche.

Wednesday has the Blue Jackets and Maple Leafs facing one another and the Flyers going out west to take on the Flames.

Thursday is a busy day with the Penguins taking on the Jets, the Islanders and Rangers squaring off in divisional play, the Flyers taking on the Oilers, and the Devils facing the Senators.

On Friday we have a divisional game between the Penguins and Blue Jackets while the Hurricanes play their only game of the week against the Avalanche.

Saturday sees the division leading Capitals play their only game of the week against Detroit while the Islanders and Devils battle for crucial points at the bottom of the division.

That was what happened in the Metropolitan Division and a brief look at what's ahead for next week. How do you think the standings will look next Sunday? What games are you looking forward to? What are your thoughts on anything that has to do with these 8 teams? Leave your comments below and thank you for reading!