Canadian Teams Morning Review – Jan. 11: Flames, Habs, Sens, Leafs, Canucks & Oilers
Saturday night offered a valuable snapshot of where Canada’s NHL teams really are—not where they hope to be. Some wins steadied nerves, losses that tightened the standings, and a few games that quietly said more than the scoreboard suggested. It wasn’t a dramatic night, but it was an instructive one.
A common thread ran through most of the games: structure mattered. Teams that defended well and managed their emotions were rewarded. Teams that chased, forced plays, or relied on reputation instead of execution paid for it. From Calgary snapping a skid to Toronto imposing itself at home, the results felt earned rather than accidental.
What follows isn’t a highlight reel. It’s a look at what these games meant—and what they hinted at going forward.
Flames 2, Penguins 1 — Calgary Finds Its Feet Again
For the Calgary Flames, this wasn’t just a win—it was a release valve. After four straight losses and an anemic scoring stretch, a 2–1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins finally looked like a team settling itself rather than chasing the game.
The key figure was Matt Coronato, whose goal 42 seconds into the third period tilted the night. It wasn’t flashy, but it mattered because Calgary played from ahead afterward—and defended it well. Connor Zary’s first-period breakaway goal set the tone, a reward for pressure rather than creativity.
Devin Cooley mattered too. Making his first start since December 20, Cooley stopped 27 shots and looked composed, particularly as Pittsburgh pressed late. The Penguins thought they had tied it on a Thomas Novak chance, but Sidney Crosby’s interference nullified the goal—a moment that symbolized Pittsburgh’s frustration.
Calgary didn’t overwhelm anyone, but it limited mistakes and let the game breathe. After weeks of squeezing the stick, that might be the bigger takeaway than the two points.
Red Wings 4, Canadiens 0 — Montreal Hits a Wall
This game wasn’t close, even if it was scoreless for 20 minutes. The Detroit Red Wings’ 4–0 win over the Montreal Canadiens was about control, not bursts of scoring.
Lucas Raymond and Dylan Larkin's second-period goals changed the game's texture. Detroit stopped trading chances and started dictating pace. Alex DeBrincat’s early third-period goal ended any remaining suspense.
For Montreal, the result exposed how thin the margin still is. Jacob Fowler was fine, but not transformative. When the Canadiens lost their rhythm, they didn’t have a gear to find it again.
There were milestones—Nick Suzuki played his 500th straight NHL game, and Kaiden Guhle returned from a long injury—but neither altered the outcome. This felt like a reminder: Montreal is improving, but not yet built to absorb nights when execution slips.
Panthers 3, Senators 2 — Ottawa’s Margin Shrinks Again
The Ottawa Senators played well enough to stay in the game, but not well enough to own it. That distinction keeps showing up.
Florida’s 3–2 win hinged on Gustav Forsling’s third-period goal, a clean shot that came off a faceoff and beat Leevi Merilainen before Ottawa could reset. Carter Verhaeghe’s power-play goal earlier had already exposed soft coverage.
Claude Giroux gave Ottawa hope late, but Sergei Bobrovsky shut the door. That’s been the story lately: close, competitive, but short. The Senators aren’t unravelling—but they are drifting. Without sharper defensive details, effort alone won’t change outcomes.
Maple Leafs 5, Canucks 0 — Toronto Does Exactly What It Should
This was the Maple Leafs at their most convincing. A 5–0 win over the Vancouver Canucks wasn’t just dominant—it was disciplined.
William Nylander’s return mattered immediately: one goal, two assists, and pace restored. Joseph Woll’s 29-save shutout reinforced the structure in front of him. Toronto scored early, then suffocated Vancouver’s transition game.
The defining moment came late in the first period when Nylander beat Thatcher Demko on a backhand after circling Marcus Pettersson. The game ended there, even if the clock didn’t. For Vancouver, this was another grim chapter. For Toronto, it was a reminder that when they manage games rather than chase them, they look like a serious team.
Kings 4, Oilers 3 (SO) — Edmonton Misses the Edges
Edmonton’s loss to Los Angeles will sting because it was familiar. The Oilers tied the game late—Connor McDavid’s 30th goal extended his point streak—but couldn’t finish it.
Leon Draisaitl scored twice. Connor Ingram gave them a chance. Yet in the shootout, McDavid, Draisaitl, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins all came up empty. Adrian Kempe didn’t.
This wasn’t a disaster. It was a reminder that precision matters most when games tighten. Edmonton has plenty of firepower. Nights like this test whether it’s enough.
The Night in Context for Canadian Teams
Saturday didn’t rewrite any seasons—but it clarified a few. Calgary steadied itself. Toronto confirmed momentum. Montreal and Ottawa were reminded how thin their margins still are. Edmonton showed both resilience and vulnerability.
In January, that’s often how the truth arrives.