The 2025-26 NHL season has produced some incredible moments throughout the last three months. As an illustration, Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin scoring his 900th profession goal was a moment no fan will soon forget. Nonetheless, individual moments take a backseat to team success. And with the season nearing the halfway point, it is time to take a deeper have a look at the Metropolitan Division.
The Metro was won by the Capitals last season, but this yr feels as if things may very well be a bit different. Washington currently leads the division, nevertheless it’s not a cushty lead by any margin. Furthermore, the highest spot has been held by a number of different clubs already. Only seven points separate first from last, making a reasonably tight race within the Metro.
There may be rather a lot to discuss with this division. There may be a very good probability it sends five teams to the Stanley Cup Playoffs next spring. With this in mind, let’s take an in depth have a look at each team and hand out grades for every team within the Metropolitan Division.
Washington Capitals: A
The Washington Capitals had a rough begin to the 2025-26 campaign. It seemed as if the defending Metro champions were set for a step back. Nonetheless, Washington has bounced back in an enormous way. They usually now lead the division by three points. Furthermore, they’re the No. 1 seed within the Eastern Conference at the moment.
The Capitals are the most effective teams within the NHL immediately. No team within the East has a greater Goals For Percentage so far, in accordance with Evolving Hockey. They get the puck on net, and so they don’t allow a ton of shots at the opposite end.
Logan Thompson has emerged because the clear starter, and is a Vezina candidate. Tom Wilson and Jakob Chychrun have supported Alex Ovechkin and Dylan Strome offensively, as well. It is a team that may do some damage within the spring in the event that they proceed this type of form.
The Capitals are actually a dangerous team, but they’re removed from the just one on this division. The Carolina Hurricanes stormed out of the gate this season. They’ve cooled off a bit, but they’re second within the Metro at the moment.
The Hurricanes are fifth within the NHL for Goals For Percentage. Carolina also owns the best Fenwick For and Corsi For Percentage within the league. They do allow a justifiable share of goals, but they do not leak goals by any means.
Frederik Andersen has not played to his usual level. Nonetheless, Carolina has found a very good tandem in Brandon Bussi and Pyotr Kochetkov. Sebastian Aho stays the team’s leader, while Jackson Blake and Seth Jarvis are vital supporting players. The Hurricanes look the a part of a contender once more.
Latest York Islanders: A
The Latest York Islanders traded Noah Dobson this offseason to the Montreal Canadiens. It seemed as if latest general manager Mathieu Darche was preparing for a little bit of a rebuild. Nonetheless, they might not have scripted things any higher this season.
The Islanders should not the type of contender that the Capitals and Hurricanes are. Latest York is in the underside 10 by way of Goals For Per 60 Minutes, as an example. But also they are top-10 in fewest Goals Allowed Per 60 Minutes. They do not rating a ton, but they do not allow much either.
The primary story across the Islanders is rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer. He has made a legitimate impact early on. And though he’s cooled off a bit, he has six points in his last seven games. If he can proceed his play, Latest York may give you the option to sneak into the postseason.
Pittsburgh Penguins: B+
The Pittsburgh Penguins have missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs in each of the last three seasons. Pittsburgh is attempting to contend before the likes of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin retire. Thus far, they’re within the postseason conversation.
The Penguins are a little bit of a middle-of-the-pack team. They’re eighth in Goals For Per 60 Minutes, barely outscoring the Islanders. Nonetheless, they do not keep the puck out of the online as well, rating thirteenth for fewest Goals Allowed Per 60 Minutes.
The resurgence of Tristan Jarry has been a significant vivid spot for the Penguins. Nonetheless, the team finds itself further down the playoff pecking order than its peers. If Jarry can proceed his play, and Crosby continues doing his usual work, there is a probability this team sneaks in.
Latest Jersey Devils: B
The Latest Jersey Devils have hit a significant rough patch, to be fair. They’re seventh within the Metro, six points back of the division-leading Capitals. At one point, though, the Devils were the talk of the NHL.
Unfortunately, their recent poor play has dropped Latest Jersey quite far. They own the second-worst Goals For Percentage within the NHL, behind only the Nashville Predators. Furthermore, they rating the third-fewest Goals Per 60 Minutes, while allowing the Tenth-most Goals Per 60.
The Devils retain a good grade for a number of reasons. First, they’ve shown that they will play at an elite level after they are healthy. The second reason is that they don’t seem to be fully healthy. Jack Hughes, Johnathan Kovacevic, and Brett Pesce are all on injured reserve.
They’re still within the postseason hunt despite these injuries. Once they get fully healthy, this may very well be a team to observe out for.
Latest York Rangers: B
The Latest York Rangers made some big moves in the course of the offseason to attempt to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Up to now, Latest York is within the conversation. But in addition they have some issues to work through.
Adam Fox and Matt Rempe are on long-term injured reserve. They’re vital pieces to the roster, and so they are hard to interchange. To stay within the postseason picture as they’ve is admirable.
Latest York is an excellent defensive team, owning the very best On Ice Save Percentage of any team within the league. Nonetheless, in addition they own one in every of the league’s worst offenses. And Latest York is unable to purchase a win at home, it seems.
The Rangers can still salvage things and make the postseason. They’ve an uphill battle ahead, though. Whether or not they could make that climb actually stays to be seen.
Columbus Blue Jackets: C+
The Columbus Blue Jackets nearly made the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season. They put in a really commendable effort as they shocked a ton of individuals within the hockey world. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear as if 2025-26 goes to pan out the identical as last yr did.
The Blue Jackets are a solid defensive team, owning the twelfth best On Ice Save Percentage within the league. And they don’t seem to be much worse within the offensive end, either. Nonetheless, Columbus has struggled mightily to take care of the leads they get. Actually, they lead the league in blown third-period leads.
The standard suspects are still performing. Zach Werenski is proving his Norris Trophy-caliber season last yr wasn’t a fluke. Dmitri Voronkov, Kirill Marchenko, and Adam Fantilli still form the core of this forward group. All of them have performed well so far.
Unfortunately, the goaltending has been rough. Elvis Merzlinkis, specifically, has struggled mightily. The team’s overall inability to take care of a lead has done nothing to assist matters, in fact.
The Blue Jackets intend to make the postseason, and so they still can. Nonetheless, they should make massive changes to ensure that this to occur. In the event that they don’t, the changes which are made might not be limited to the players within the lineup.