Canadian Teams Morning Review – Jan. 16: Flames, Habs, Canucks, Oilers, Jets & Leafs
Thursday was one of those nights that remind you how uneven the NHL can be. For several Canadian teams, it was a mixture of frustration, fleeting brilliance, and hard lessons. Montreal and Vancouver struggled to sustain any momentum, Winnipeg and Calgary found ways to generate energy and structure, and Edmonton and Toronto were reminded that even elite players can’t overcome every missed chance or defensive lapse.
Consistency—or the lack of it—was the story. Teams that rely on streaky offence or goaltenders under pressure quickly learned that small mistakes compound quickly. And across the board, power plays and defensive coverage were decisive: disciplined opponents exploited lapses, and the teams that managed to convert chances while limiting theirs were rewarded.
What stood out from a Canadian perspective was how thin the margin for error remains. One lucky bounce, one lapse in coverage, one penalty can swing a game. And while individual performances were notable, it was the interplay of depth, structure, and poise that dictated who came out ahead.
Buffalo Sabres 5, Montreal Canadiens 3
Montreal’s night ended in disappointment as the Sabres relied on timing and finishing to pull away. Tage Thompson had a remarkable showing with three goals and two assists, including the 200th point of his career, while Josh Doan and Alex Tuch contributed key plays. Montreal’s Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki each scored, but rookie Jacob Fowler couldn’t keep pace with Buffalo’s relentless execution.
The pivotal moment came early in the third when Thompson converted a puck battle into a decisive goal, a shot that left Montreal chasing. Buffalo’s poise on the power play and in transition tilted the game; the Canadiens traded leads but never found the answer to the Sabres’ balance of patience and aggression. It was the kind of performance that shows promise in flashes, but a team can’t win with moments alone.
Columbus Blue Jackets, 4 Vancouver Canucks 1
Vancouver’s road slide deepened in Columbus, stretching the losing streak to nine games. Brock Boeser finally found the net on the power play, snapping a 21-game goal drought, but the Canucks’ overall structure faltered. Kirill Marchenko and Kent Johnson each had a goal and an assist, and Zach Werenski added his 18th goal of the season, the most by an NHL defenseman.
Kevin Lankinen made 32 saves, yet the defensive lapses and slow coverage made his job nearly impossible. The defining moment came when Marchenko converted a second-period faceoff into a goal, underscoring how difficult it has become for Vancouver to clear the zone and protect high-danger areas. The Canucks showed some spark on the power play, but the persistent inconsistency of their lines and defensive gaps remains the larger issue.
Winnipeg Jets 6, Minnesota Wild 2
Winnipeg’s game was a reminder of how quickly fortunes can turn when structure meets execution. Mark Scheifele recorded a goal and three assists, Jonathan Toews scored for the fourth straight game, and Josh Morrissey and Gabriel Vilardi both had a goal and an assist. Connor Hellebuyck’s 32 saves ensured the Jets’ firepower translated into a decisive victory.
The game-defining moment came on a two-person advantage when Toews poked home a rebound, setting the tone for relentless pressure. Winnipeg capitalized on early opportunities and didn’t let Minnesota recover. This was a night that reinforced how balanced scoring, defensive discipline, and seizing key moments can erase the effects of earlier struggles.
Calgary Flames 3, Chicago Blackhawks 1
Calgary closed its road trip with a 3–1 win over Chicago, combining opportunistic scoring with careful play. Mikael Backlund and Yegor Sharangovich each had a goal and an assist, and Matt Coronato added an empty-net goal. Devin Cooley’s 22 saves kept the team in control.
Backlund’s first-period goal while killing a penalty illustrated Calgary’s ability to make the most of pressure situations. Chicago’s top line, including Connor Bedard, was effectively neutralized. Calgary’s win was a reminder that structure and awareness can make up for a lack of dominating offence on the road.
New York Islanders 1, Edmonton Oilers 0
Edmonton fell to the Islanders 1–0 in a defensive battle. Anthony Duclair scored the game’s only goal on a power play, assisted by Mathew Barzal, while Ilya Sorokin made 35 saves to earn his fifth shutout of the season. Connor McDavid’s 20-game point streak came to an end, highlighting how tight margins are at the top level.
The moment that defined the outcome was Duclair’s third-period power-play strike, a consequence of a tripping penalty on Leon Draisaitl. Edmonton created chances but couldn’t find the finish, and Sorokin’s consistency kept the Islanders in control. The loss underscored that even elite offence must contend with timing, goaltending, and the opposition's discipline.
Vegas Golden Knights 6, Toronto Maple Leafs 5 (OT)
Toronto’s high-scoring contest ended in a 6–5 overtime loss, a game marked by both resilience and narrow margins. William Nylander left early with a lower-body injury but still had a goal andan assist. Nick Robertson played his 200th NHL game, while John Tavares and Auston Matthews added goals. Matias Maccelli had two assists. Adin Hill returned from injury for Vegas and made 23 key saves.
The defining moment came in the final seconds of regulation when Tomas Hertl’s 6-on-5 goal forced overtime. Toronto’s balanced scoring couldn’t overcome the fragility imposed by injuries and lapses in defensive coverage. Even a potent offence needs consistency, and this game reinforced the acceptable margins between a win and an overtime heartbreak.
The Bottom Line for Canadian Teams Across the Night
For Canada’s teams, Thursday highlighted the thin line between structure and chaos. Winnipeg and Calgary displayed how focus and opportunistic execution translate into wins. Montreal and Vancouver were reminders that inconsistency is punishing. Edmonton and Toronto demonstrated that even the most skilled players are vulnerable to missed opportunities and timely saves.
It was a night of lessons more than headlines. Margins are slim, streaks are fragile, and momentum can vanish in a single play. For players and coaches alike, these games offer insight: moments of brilliance matter, but only when paired with steadiness, discipline, and depth.