Three takeaways from the Penguins’ 5-4 road loss to the New York Islanders on Friday night:

Metropolitan mess

The Penguins suffered a crucial loss to a Metroplitan Division rival as the Penguins and Islanders now each have 63 points, though the Penguins have only played 54 games to the Islanders’ 58.

In terms of division wins, the Penguins have only recorded five victories this season (5-5-4). Only the last place Columbus Blue Jackets (4-12-2) have fewer within the Metropolitan Division.

It has been nearly two months since the Penguins’ last win against a divisional rival. On Dec. 20, they claimed a 3-2 home victory against the New York Rangers at PPG Paints Arena. Since then, they have lost seven consecutive games against division rivals (0-4-3).

The Penguins will have a chance to improve their divisional mark with a home contest against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.

Two for Ruhwedel

Penguins defenseman Chad Ruhwedel recorded two assists on Friday. He entered the cotnest with only two assists in his first 33 games of the season. Both assists were secondary helpers.

Ruhwedel’s last multi-point game came during a 7-2 road win against the Detroit Red Wings on April 23, 2022.

Rakell hits 20

Penguins forward Rickard Rakell scored his 20th and 21st goals in his 54th game of the season and reached the 20-goal mark for the second consecutive campaign.

In 2021-22, Rakell had 16 goals in 51 games with the Anaheim Ducks before he was traded to the Penguins on March 21. After the transaction, he scored four goals in 19 games with the Penguins.

Throughout his 11-year career, Rakell has reached the 20-goal mark on five occasions, including a career-best 34 goals in 77 games with the Ducks during the 2017-18 season.

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