Canadian Teams Morning Review – Jan. 23: Habs, Senators, Jets & Oilers
Thursday night was one of those evenings where Canadian teams didn’t so much collapse as lose control in small, decisive ways. Three of the four clubs were competitive for long stretches. Only one team came away with anything to show for it—and even that came with a familiar sting.
Across the night, the common thread was momentum management. Early goals mattered. Special teams tilted games. And once pressure shifted from structural to emotional, outcomes followed quickly. These weren’t blowouts born of effort issues; they were losses shaped by timing and composure.
For teams still measuring themselves against playoff expectations, that distinction matters—but it doesn’t soften the standings math.
Buffalo Sabres 4, Montreal Canadiens 2
What this result meant for Montreal was more than a loss—it tightened the Atlantic race uncomfortably. Buffalo didn’t just beat the Canadiens; it closed the gap to two points and reinforced that these games are no longer about development or moral victories.
Buffalo’s early push decided the night. Jason Zucker, Beck Malenstyn, and Zach Benson scored early, forcing Montreal into catch-up mode from the start. Luukkonen did the rest, calmly absorbing pressure and denying Montreal any sense of urgency-driven momentum.
Cole Caufield continued his scoring run, and Nick Suzuki added another, but the Canadiens never fully tilted the ice. Sam Montembeault wasn’t sharp early, and by the time Montreal found its legs, Buffalo was content to manage the game rather than chase it.
This was a reminder that points between divisional neighbours carry extra weight. Montreal didn’t play poorly—but they played reactively, and that’s rarely enough in January.
Florida Panthers 2, Winnipeg Jets 1 (SO)
For Winnipeg, this was a game that reinforced both progress and limitation. They earned a point against a defending champion—but they couldn’t finish the job when it came time to decide it.
Connor Hellebuyck was solid, but he wasn’t the story. Winnipeg played Florida evenly, absorbed pressure, and forced overtime. Cole Perfetti’s third-period goal showed patience and poise, not panic. The shootout, however, told a different story. Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele never truly threatened Tarasov, while Anton Lundell and Sam Reinhart executed with authority.
Florida didn’t dominate. They survived. And that’s what makes them dangerous. For Winnipeg, the takeaway is clear: structure is improving, confidence is rising, but finishing remains inconsistent. Against elite teams, that’s the difference between a statement and a footnote.
Nashville Predators 5, Ottawa Senators 3
This loss will linger for Ottawa—not because of the score, but because of how it unfolded. A three-goal lead vanished, and discipline opened the door.
Ottawa controlled this game early. Stephen Halliday’s first NHL goal, combined with scoring from Ridly Greig and Dylan Cozens, put the Senators firmly in charge. Then frustration crept in.
Steven Stamkos punished Ottawa twice on the power play, and once the game tilted emotionally, Nashville seized control. The winning goal—batting a puck out of the air after Ryan O’Reilly’s effort—was less about skill than urgency.
Ottawa had points in five straight entering the night. They left reminded that composure matters just as much as confidence.
Pittsburgh Penguins 6, Edmonton Oilers 2
This one ended almost before it began. Edmonton never recovered from Pittsburgh’s opening blitz. Anthony Mantha scored twice, Sidney Crosby added another, and suddenly the Oilers were chasing structure instead of dictating it.
Connor McDavid being held pointless again stood out—but it wasn’t the root issue. Edmonton was undone by coverage breakdowns, not stars being quiet. Once the Penguins grabbed control, they never loosened it. The Oilers showed flashes later, but the damage was permanent.
This game wasn’t about effort. It was about readiness. The Penguins were ready, the Oilers weren’t.
Final Thought About Canada’s Teams Last Night
Thursday’s games showed Canadian teams hovering between control and consequence. Montreal felt the weight of divisional pressure. Winnipeg earned respect but not resolution. Ottawa learned how fast emotion flips a game. Edmonton was reminded that bad starts still cost real points. In January, lessons arrive whether teams are ready for them or not.