Pittsburgh Penguins star defenseman Kris Letang admitted Tuesday he's keeping an early eye on the Metropolitan Division standings.

"I'm watching them every day," Letang said following Pittsburgh's win against the New York Rangers, according to team reporter Michelle Crechiolo. "That's how tight it is. You see how we created a gap with that losing streak, and you're like, oh, shoot - we have to get going. You don't want to dig yourself too deep because it's too tough of a division and league."

Pittsburgh fell to 27th in the NHL in early November with just 10 points following a seven-game losing streak. However, the Penguins have gone on a 15-3-2 run to pull within four points of the division-leading Carolina Hurricanes.

Pittsburgh has made the playoffs every season since 2006-07.

The Penguins will have a chance to make up further ground against the Hurricanes when they host Carolina on Thursday.

Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.