Canadian Teams Morning Review – Feb. 27: Sens, Habs, Leafs, Flames & Oilers
Thursday felt like one of those nights where Canadian teams were all over the map. Some looked sharp out of the gate, others were trying to shake off the post-Olympic rust, and a few just reminded you how small mistakes can snowball fast. From Ottawa to Vancouver, there was effort everywhere—but effort doesn’t always win hockey games.
You could see the same story in different ways: individual talent carrying a team, rookies making a name for themselves, and veterans reminding everyone why they still matter. It was a night that reminded you hockey is a mix of timing, execution, and a little luck—plus knowing which moments to grab by the scruff and turn into wins.
Through all five games, the underlying theme was obvious: a strong performance from one key player can cover a lot of cracks, but not indefinitely. Teams that relied on structure and experience fared best; those trying to piece things together on the fly were left chasing the scoreboard.
Detroit Red Wings 2, Ottawa Senators 1
Dylan Larkin came up huge for Detroit, scoring twice, including the overtime winner at 1:50, to beat the Senators 2-1. John Gibson was solid in the net, stopping 26 shots, while Ottawa’s Brady Tkachuk gave them an early lead.
The defining moment? Larkin’s overtime backhander. Simple, clean, and decisive. It was a reminder that even in a tight game, one player in the right place at the right time can make the difference. Ottawa had a small flare-up with Tkachuk and Simon Edvinsson, but it didn’t change the outcome—Detroit stayed composed, and Ottawa is left watching the playoff clock tick down.
New York Islanders 4, Montreal Canadiens 3
Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored 3:14 into overtime to give the Islanders a 4-3 win, but rookie Matthew Schaefer stole the show briefly with two goals in 55 seconds during the second period. Montreal’s Noah Dobson scored twice against his old team, and Cole Caufield added a late third-period goal, but it wasn’t enough.
Pageau’s winner capped a game where the Islanders rode a mix of experience and young talent. Montreal created chances and showed flashes, but defensive lapses and sloppy line changes let New York take control. Schaefer’s record-setting burst was a bright spot for the Islanders—and a warning to other teams about what their young defenseman can do.
Florida Panthers 5, Toronto Maple Leafs 1
Brad Marchand scored twice, and Evan Rodrigues added a short-handed goal as Florida ran roughshod over Toronto. Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 28 shots while John Tavares scored the lone Leafs goal.
The defining stretch? Florida’s three-goal opening period. It set the tone and ended any real suspense. Toronto looked out of sorts early, struggling to find rhythm after the Olympic break. Florida’s depth, speed, and ability to capitalize on mistakes made the difference—and left Toronto fans thinking about what needs to change if they want to get back into the playoff conversation.
Calgary Flames 4, San Jose Sharks 1
Nazem Kadri scored twice, Connor Zary added a timely third, and Mikael Backlund sealed it with an empty-netter as Calgary won 4-1. Dustin Wolf made 34 saves to steady the net. Tyler Toffoli had the lone goal for San Jose.
Kadri’s second goal came off a defensive miscue, turning a close game into a controlled victory. Calgary weathered early Sharks pressure, stayed patient, and took advantage of key moments. San Jose had its chances but couldn’t finish, a reminder that good possession doesn’t always translate into goals without composure and veteran savvy.
Edmonton Oilers 8, Los Angeles Kings 1
Connor McDavid had a goal and an assist, Leon Draisaitl had four points, and the Oilers obliterated the Kings 8-1. Jake Walman, Zach Hyman, Ty Emberson, Vasily Podkolzin, and Andrew Mangiapane all scored. Connor Ingram stopped 22 shots.
The defining stretch came early: Emberson and Podkolzin scored within a minute of each other, and Edmonton never looked back. McDavid and Draisaitl drove the offence as usual, while the Kings looked completely outmatched. Edmonton reminded everyone why they’re still a serious playoff threat, and the Kings… well, they’ve got some work to do.
Looking at the Night from the Canadian Teams’ Perspective
Across five games, the story was clear: moments of brilliance can cover a lot of flaws, but teams can’t rely on them forever. Stars like Larkin, McDavid, and Kadri carried their teams, while others—Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa—showed the costs of inconsistency. Post-Olympic rust is real, but so are flashes of youth and leadership that hint at what’s coming.
For Canadian fans, the takeaway is mixed: some nights will frustrate, others will excite, and most will do a bit of both. The standings aren’t settled, but you can already see who’s trending up, who’s hanging by a thread, and which players are worth keeping a close eye on as the playoff stretch looms.