Canadian Teams Morning Review - Dec. 29: Canadiens & Maple Leafs
Sunday night was one of those nights that remind you why hockey is so hard to figure out. The Canadiens nearly pulled off something that would have felt miraculous in Tampa Bay, while the Maple Leafs left Detroit wondering how one small moment can undo all the work of a game. Both nights offered glimpses of promise, but also the kind of frustration that lingers long after the final buzzer.
What stood out most was how much the night came down to key plays and key players. For Montreal, it was Slafkovsky’s last-second goal that gave a point; for Toronto, it was Edvinsson sneaking one past Hildeby in overtime. You could see how quickly momentum shifts in hockey and how easily one lapse can tip the scales. It’s a lesson both teams are learning the hard way—resilience is necessary, but it isn’t always enough.
Canadiens at Lightning: Almost a Miracle
Montreal’s night in Tampa Bay started rough and stayed rough—until the very end. Trailing 4-1 in the third, the Canadiens didn’t fold. Juraj Slafkovsky tied it with just 3.8 seconds left, a goal that felt like something out of a movie. Noah Dobson and Ivan Demidov had already chipped in, and for a moment, it looked like the Canadiens might pull off a comeback for the ages.
But Tampa Bay had been in control early, and Nikita Kucherov’s two second-period goals reminded you why the Lightning are still a team to be reckoned with. Gage Goncalves was the quiet catalyst, feeding Kucherov and setting up the decisive moments. Montreal showed heart and grit, but Tampa Bay’s experience and composure in the shootout kept them in charge. The Canadiens can take something from this: they can battle, they can score, and they can get back into games—but the top teams don’t make it easy. In the end, it was the Lightning beating the Canadiens by a score of 5-4.
Maple Leafs at Red Wings: A Familiar Frustration
Toronto’s trip to Detroit was a lesson in how quickly hockey swings. Matthew Knies scored on a second-period power play, set up by Auston Matthews, giving the Leafs a short-lived lead. John Tavares, as he often does, was the quiet, steady hand on both of Toronto’s goals. For a time, it looked like they might walk away with the win. But the Red Wings won 3-2.
But the Red Wings answered swiftly. Moritz Seider’s long-range goal tied it, Mason Appleton scored seconds later, and then Simon Edvinsson finished it in overtime. Dennis Hildeby made plenty of saves, but the Maple Leafs’ struggles on the power play made every mistake costlier. Detroit’s Patrick Kane returned from injury, tipping the balance at just the right moment. The lesson: talent matters, but timing and execution at the right moments decide these tight games.
The Night in Review for Canadian Teams
Sunday offered a mixed bag for Canada’s teams. Montreal showed heart and fight, forcing a top team into a shootout. Toronto showed structure and skill, only to be undone by late lapses. Both teams are learning the same lesson in different ways: skill alone won’t carry you. Timing, awareness, and the ability to finish a game under pressure are what separate the good from the great. If the Canadiens and Maple Leafs can take the lessons from Sunday and apply them, the next few games could look very different. If not, frustration will linger—and fans know how quickly a night of promise can slip through your fingers in this league.