Take 5: Metropolitan malaise plagues Penguins

Hockey fans who believe in omens could have seen this coming before the season was 20 minutes old.

In the first period of their season opener Oct. 9, the Penguins gave up a pair of goals to Jacob Trouba, of all people, and went on to lose 6-0 to the New York Rangers.

The Trouba trouble foreshadowed Metropolitan Division woes that have followed the Penguins through the first three months of their schedule.

After a 4-1 loss to the Washington Capitals on Saturday night, the Penguins are 3-8-3 against Metropolitan Division opponents this season. It’s hard to imagine them contending for a playoff spot if that record doesn’t improve.

Here are five takes focused on the Penguins’ struggles within their division this season.

1. Not as good as it sounds

More than halfway through the season, the Penguins are undefeated against their biggest traditional rival.

That sounds a lot better than it really is.

The Penguins have met the hated Philadelphia Flyers exactly once, on Dec. 23, and came away with a resounding 7-3 victory.

They’re 1-1 against their second-biggest rivals, the Capitals, and 1-1-1 against the Islanders.

Beyond that, blech.

They’re 0-6-2 against Carolina, New Jersey, Columbus and the Rangers.

They’re particularly awful against the Hurricanes, losing 14 of the last 17 meetings and getting outscored 13-5 in three losses this season.

2. Historical context

Since the Metropolitan was born in 2013, the Penguins have usually fared well against division foes. They’re 149-98-37 all-time in Metropolitan play, including sparkling 20-8-2 records in 2013-14 and the Cup year of 2016-17.

This year isn’t the first Metropolitan malaise in the Sidney Crosby era, however. The Penguins went 9-17-4 in division games during the ill-fated Mike Johnston campaign in 2014-15. Somehow, they made the playoffs anyway.

3. Division surprises

While struggling against division opponents is a good way to sink in the standings, a couple of teams seem to have Metropolitan play figured out this season and it’s done them a world of good.

The Capitals are 11-4 in division games, helping them to a surprising spot atop the league standings. The Blue Jackets are 7-3-3, which is probably why they find themselves unexpectedly in playoff contention.

4. Coastal elites

Despite their division struggles, the Penguins do find themselves within shouting distance of a playoff spot. That must mean they play well against somebody, right?

Why, yes. Thanks for asking. They’re 9-4-4 against the Atlantic Division and 6-3-1 against the Pacific. It’s the middle of the country that’s a problem. They’re also 1-6 against the Central.

5. Looking ahead

The Penguins need to find some solutions because they still have 12 division games left.

Most notably, sandwiched around the 4 Nations Face-off break, they play seven consecutive games against nothing but Metropolitan foes — the Devils, Rangers, Flyers and Capitals — from Feb. 4-27, culminating in a home-and-home with Philadelphia.

That’s a stretch that could define the season.