Well, things are starting to look up a little bit for the Rangers since the last time we did one of these. Hagelin is back, Callahan is back, Lundqvist is healthy, and the Rangers are just two games away from being a .500 team. Obviously, things could be better. The Rangers are healthier but Rick Nash is still out of the lineup and the lack of news about Nash's condition is downright alarming at this point and the Rangers next opponent just so happens to be the Pittsburgh Penguins.
There were a lot of developments in the division this past week including a major trade, Manny Malhotra making his comeback with the Canes, and the Rangers getting their Captain, Ryan Callahan, back. Let's take a quick look at the Metropolitan Division standings and then jump into your links for the week.
TEAM
GP
W
L
OTL
PTS
Penguins
15
11
4
0
22
Islanders
14
6
5
3
15
Capitals
14
7
7
0
14
Rangers
14
6
8
0
12
Carolina
14
4
7
3
11
Blue Jackets
13
5
8
0
10
Devils
14
3
7
4
10
Flyers
13
4
9
0
8
WSH: What Happens when Alex Ovechkin Shoots? | Ovechkin has been out with a shoulder injury, could return against the Isles. | O from the D is MIA. | Backstrom Carrying Load with Ovechkin Out. | Line Brawl. | Olesky looks like me skating after one of his blades comes off. | Orlov Deserves NHL Minutes. | The Caps Lack of Accountability.
NJD: The Value of Peter Harrold. | Review of October. | Devils Awful at Generating Shooting Attempts. | How bad is the Metropolitan Division? | Looking Forward to November. | Adam Henrique: Is He Finally Back on Track?
NYI: The Rick DiPietro Owner's Manual. | Friedman's Take on the Vanek Trade. | 4-Game Road Trip to Test the Isles. | Vanek Score his First as an Isle, Beats Boston.
PIT: I don't think Pascal Dupuis is a dentist... | Crosby "not that concerned" about the future of concussions in professional sport. | Scuderi Out with Broken Ankle. | Olympic Preview: Czech Republic. | Time to Trust the Kids. | Prospect Update: November. | Kuntiz and Megna Impress. | Finding Forward Depth in Unexpected Places. | Malkin Primed to Break Out.
PHI: Why Did the Avalanche trade Talbot for Downie? | No Supplemental Discipline for Emery after goalie "fight" with Holtby, he was also given the third star of the game. | Line Brawl. | Hartnell is struggling this season... so he chopped off his trademark curls. | Scott Laughton is Really, Really Good. | Downie for Talbot: Offensive Upgrade. | Embarrassing. | Vinny Lecavalier Day-to-Day and Downie Out Indefinitely After Line Brawl. | Some of the Flyers Dressed as Bunnies... | Holmgren Must Fix Cap-Strapped Club. | Ray Emery is a "Thug", Plain and Simple.
CAR: Ryan Murphy fined for Clipping Dorsett. | Manny Malhotra Making a Comeback with Carolina. | Calder Watch: Ryan Murphy on the Prowl. | Storm Tracking: Injuries Mounting. | What's Wrong with the Carolina Hurricanes? | Brett Sutter Clears Waivers. | Gerbe Earning Increased Role in Carolina.
CBJ: On the Farm: Falcons Week Four. | Kekalainen named Assitant GM of Finland. | Columbus Awarded 2015 NHL All-Star Game! | Dubi: Now is the Right time for the "C". | The Promise of Today and Tomorrow. | October Report Card.
Around the League and Life Links: Class Act: Brent Burns shaves head for charity, half of proceeds go to the Katie Moore Foundation. | Puck Daddy's Hockey-Related Costumes for Halloween. | The Sedins sign 4 year extensions. | Fighting Down in 2013-14, but why? | "GET DOWN!" | Mitch Hedberg. | I... I don't know. | New Issue of Blueshirts Monthly Came Out, Did You Subscribe? Did You Tell Your Friends? ... Don't Make me Beg. | Tony Viola is an amazing human being and we blessed to have him as a member of Blueshirt Banter.
Well there are your links for the week guys and gals. What do you think of that Philly/Washington line brawl and the fallout from it? Should Emery have been suspended? Will the Flyers ever catch a break this season? How concerned are you about the month of November and the Rangers needing to get over the .500 mark? When do we hit the "we're ****ed" button regarding Rick Nash? Let me know what you think, what you're excited about, and what concerns you in the comments section. I hope you all had a great Halloween! Go put a smile on someone's face and stay warm.
Have any other hockey-related or non-hockey-related topics you want to discuss? This is the place to do it!
Let's go Rangers.