Penguins Surprise, Metropolitan Division Tightens

As the NHL passes roughly the 15-game mark, early-season surprises are reshaping division races: the Pittsburgh Penguins have emerged as the season’s biggest surprise, sitting near the top after a revived Sidney Crosby, an impactful offseason revamp and first-year coach Dan Muse. The Montreal Canadiens have also surged in the Atlantic behind Cole Caufield and captain Nick Suzuki, with Detroit close behind in a reshaped division. The New York Rangers have won three straight largely because of their goalie tandem Jonathan Quick and Igor Shesterkin, amid ongoing Artemi Panarin trade chatter and inconsistent home results. Injuries have battered Carolina’s defense — including Jaccob Slavin, K'Andre Miller and Shayne Gostisbehere — while Tampa Bay has rebounded with a five-game winning streak; Colorado still leads the West and Boston and Toronto have recent streaks, even as Minnesota has struggled. Overall the Metropolitan Division looks unusually balanced with several previously down teams emerging.