Canadian Teams Morning Review – Jan. 8: Canadiens, Flames & Senators
Wednesday offered a clear snapshot of where Canada’s NHL teams stand this season. The Montreal Canadiens looked sharp and in sync, turning individual skill into a 4–1 win over the Calgary Flames. The Ottawa Senators, on the other hand, controlled much of the play in Salt Lake City but came up short, falling 3–1 to the Utah Mammoth. For fans, it was a reminder that momentum alone isn’t enough — timing, execution, and the occasional hot goaltender still decide outcomes.
The Canadiens made the most of their opportunities, with a line firing on all cylinders and execution in the moments that count. Ottawa had the play but couldn’t finish; a hot goalie and a missed chance here or there can turn control into frustration. The margin between competing and winning is often narrower than it seems.
Pressure and poise stood out as common themes. Montreal used an early surge to seize control, while Ottawa ran into Utah’s structured play and Karel Vejmelka’s steady goaltending. Both contests showed that Canadian teams must convert effort into execution at the right moments if they hope to keep pace in tight playoff races.
Montreal Canadiens 4 – Calgary Flames 1: Texier Breaks Through
Montreal’s 4–1 victory over Calgary was about more than points on the board — it was a statement of timing and opportunity. Alexandre Texier delivered a three-point game, his first in the NHL, with one goal and two assists. His opening goal at 3:10 of the second period sparked a three-goal burst in just over five minutes, effectively putting the Flames on their heels. That stretch tilted the game decisively.
Cole Caufield added a goal and an assist, and Lane Hutson contributed a key tally in the second period. Jacob Fowler made 28 saves to keep Calgary at bay, but it was the Canadiens’ top line — Texier, Caufield, and Nick Suzuki — that set the tone. Calgary’s Joel Farabee scored late in the period, but the Flames’ third-period push was too little, too late. Montreal showed what happens when a line clicks and capitalizes on opportunity at the right time.
Ottawa Senators 1 – Utah Mammoth 3: Vejmelka Stands Tall
Ottawa dominated possession in Salt Lake City, but could not convert that control into a win. Karel Vejmelka made 32 saves, keeping the Mammoth ahead and absorbing repeated pressure from the Senators. Lawson Crouse and John Marino gave Utah a 2–0 lead, and Ridly Greig’s third-period goal for Ottawa proved only a temporary spark.
The defining moment came in the second period, when Utah steadied, converted rebounds, and maintained pressure, leaving Ottawa scrambling to finish cleanly. Dylan Cozens and Ottawa’s forwards generated chances — two-on-ones, breakaways, high shot totals — but execution faltered against Vejmelka’s composure. The result was a harsh lesson on the scoreboard: controlling the play is no guarantee of victory if finishing and timing are off.
Lessons from the Night’s Games for Canadian Teams
Wednesday was a night of highs and frustrations for Canadian teams. Montreal showed what can happen when timing, chemistry, and individual skill click — one intense stretch was enough to put Calgary away. Ottawa, by contrast, controlled the play for long stretches but couldn’t find the finishing touch when it mattered most.
The key lesson from the night is that the little things still decide outcomes. Early goals, traffic in front of the net, and clean execution on scoring chances can turn a close game into a win or leave a team wondering what went wrong. Teams that can consistently get those details right will be the ones climbing the standings; those that rely on possession and effort alone risk leaving points on the ice.