NHL Player Rankings: Metropolitan division x-factors for Stanley Cup run

Daniel Winnik. 3. player. 92. <p>The Pittsburgh Penguins look like they’re going to meet the New York Islanders in the first round. They trail the Isles by two points and hold a two point cushion over the Caps so they know they home-ice is on the line with every game.</p> <p>Unfortunately, the Penguins won’t have Hart Trophy candidate Evgeni Malkin who is out for 1-2 weeks with a lower-body injury. He could miss six-seven of the team’s remaining 13 games.</p> <p>Adding to their injury woes is Patric Hornqvist dealing with an injury and is expected to miss a week, so the 10th ranked offense in the NHL is going to need to replace their scoring.</p> <p>Daniel Winnik came over in a deadline trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs and has three assists in eight games with the Pens and finds himself on the same line as Sidney Crosby. There may not be a better spot to be in the NHL than than next to him and he has to take advantage of this opportunity and produce with Malkin and Hornqvist are out.</p>. Forward. Pittsburgh Penguins