Metropolitan Notes: Roy, Chychrun, Rakell, Poehling

The Capitals' news cycle has been dominated in recent days by the health of two top-four defensemen, and that didn't change on Tuesday. There is good news about one of them – Matt Roy According to Sammi Silber of The Hockey News, he came off his no-contact designation in practice today while he recovers from a lower-body injury. He has been upgraded to questionable for tomorrow's game against the Predators and could be off injured reserve by then, head coach Spencer Carbery added (via Silver).

Roy, 29, has played just once for the Caps since signing his six-year, $34.5 million contract over the summer. The Kings' long-time defenseman suffered the injury in the season opener against the Devils and missed the following ten games. It was an inauspicious start for the normally reliable home center, who posted a -2 rating in less than 10 minutes of ice time against New Jersey.

Upon his return, he will look to improve Washington's defense, which has already done quite well without him. As a team, the Capitals control 50.4% of shot attempts and 53.5% of scoring chances at even strength, led by some spectacular two-way play John Carlson. Roy's return will benefit Washington by ousting the overmatched veteran Dylan McIlrath Down on the depth chart – he went 93-133 in 10 games at even strength and missed out on the second pairing Rasmus Sandin In the Caps' final game, Roy will assume that role when he's back in the lineup.

Unfortunately, There isn't that much positive news about it Jacob ChychrunHealth. Carbery said he hasn't returned to skating with the rest of the team yet, but is at least continuing to do reps before practice with team staff. Chychrun landed on IR over the weekend and missed the last three games due to an upper-body injury he suffered on Oct. 29 against the Rangers. He has now missed seven days and can come off IR at any time, although it doesn't appear that will happen in the next few days. Chychrun recorded two goals and two assists in eight games before leaving the lineup and tied for the team lead with seven takeaways.

Elsewhere in the Metropolitan Division:

• After a tough 2023-24 season Rickard Rakell is one of the few Penguins to meet or exceed expectations this season. The 31-year-old leads the team with six to 13 games and is third on the team with nine points. Rakell spoke to The Athletic's Josh Yohe yesterday and detailed how he overcame major self-doubt about his age and possible permanent decline to rediscover his game.
• The Flyers will be without the center's services Ryan Poehling On their upcoming three-game road trip, head coach John Tortorella tells Charlie O'Connor of PHLY Sports. He remains in Philadelphia to treat a minor injury and attend to an “illness.”Family situation.” The 25-year-old had five assists and a +2 rating in twelve appearances this season, an average of 13:31 per game. He also has excellent possession stats due to his intense effort in the defensive zone, winning 50% of his draws for the first time in his six-year career. Noah Cateswho has played in seven straight games after being left out four times in five games to start the season, will center the fourth line in his place.