The Metropolitan Division is a tight race, but the Pittsburgh Penguins are looking inward in their climb up the rankings.

The NHL has hit the quarter mark of the season, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are in the midst of a true dog fight within the Metropolitan Division.

Through 20 games of the 2023-24 season, the Metro Division is a tight race with only a handful of points separating the best and worst teams, and the Penguins have a real chance to make a huge push.

Seven of the eight teams within the Metro are separated by only six total points; the New York Rangers lead with 31 points, seven up on the Carolina Hurricanes who are in second, so they are excluded from this conversation.

The Hurricanes sit second with a 12-8-0 record and 24 points; In last place is the Columbus Blue Jackets who are having a rough season but are 7-12-4 with 18 points.

The Penguins are 10-10-0 for 20 putting them in a weird position for the next couple of games; if the chips fall their way and they take a few wins, they could be in second place in no time.

If the inconsistencies continue, however, and the Jackets or New Jersey Devils gain some ground, the Penguins could be right back in the basement.

The Penguins believe they are trending in the right direction after a rocky start and are doing their best to focus on themselves and not look around the division.

“It’s really tight right now,” Ryan Graves said. “We’re still worried about the way we’re playing and the rest will take care of itself.”

A couple of teams like the Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals are currently above the Penguins in the standings, but aren’t expected to maintain their position all season.

A pair of big swings against the Flyers in the coming days could open great opportunities for the Penguins to climb the rankings.

The Penguins were, and still are, out of a playoff spot past a crucial Thanksgiving date, but with such a tight race, they can defy those odds.

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