Last Night in Canadian Hockey – Dec. 14: Oilers, Maple Leafs, Canadiens, Jets, Senators & Flames
Canadian teams were active across the NHL on Saturday, and the results were a mix of triumphs and heartbreak. Edmonton and Winnipeg flexed speed and structure, Calgary snatched a late road win, while Ottawa and Montreal battled hard but came up short.
It was a night that reminded fans how small margins can swing outcomes. From McDavid’s rushes in Toronto to Eriksson Ek’s last-second goal in Minnesota, every second mattered. Canadian teams showed skill, resilience, and, occasionally, the bitter reality of what happens when opportunity slips away.
If you want a deeper look at each game, follow the link below each summary.
Edmonton Oilers 6, Toronto Maple Leafs 3
The Edmonton Oilers didn’t just win 6–3 in Toronto — they waited for the game to open up, then tore it apart. For two periods, this one was competitive. The Maple Leafs hung around, traded goals, and kept the building alive. Then Edmonton leaned into what it does best, and the night tilted hard.
Connor McDavid set the tone early, blowing through the middle of the ice just 3:25 in and making the crowd gasp before Dennis Hildeby ever had a chance. From there, the Oilers stayed patient. When the Maple Leafs’ puck decisions slipped late in the second and early in the third, Edmonton pounced. Five unanswered goals later, the outcome was settled.
Oilers 6, Maple Leafs 3: Edmonton's Speed Breaks Out
Winnipeg Jets 5, Washington Capitals 1
The Winnipeg Jets picked the right night to look like themselves again. With Connor Hellebuyck back in the crease, the Jets rolled to a 5–1 win over the Washington Capitals at Canada Life Centre, controlling the game almost from the opening faceoff.
It wasn’t flashy early, but it was firm. Winnipeg scored twice in the first period, protected the middle of the ice, and never let Washington find any rhythm. As the game wore on, the Jets looked more comfortable, more connected — the kind of calm that tends to show up when No. 37 is back where he belongs.
Jets 5, Capitals 1: Hellebuyck Steadies the Ship
Minnesota Wild 3, Ottawa Senators 2
The Ottawa Senators came within a whisker of leaving Minnesota with two points, only to see Joel Eriksson Ek score with 24 seconds remaining. Ottawa played with poise, patience, and urgency, cutting a 2-0 deficit to 2-2 late into the third. But Eriksson Ek’s one-timer from Marcus Johansson stole the game, leaving Ottawa staring at a single point.
Tim Stutzle and Dylan Cozens were standouts for their Senators. They drove play and converted on power-play opportunities to keep the Senators in contention. Leevi Merilainen stood tall, facing 22 shots and keeping Ottawa competitive through 59 minutes, proving he can be a backbone for this team moving forward.
Wild 3, Senators 2: Ottawa Heartbreak in Minnesota
New York Rangers 5, Montreal Canadiens 4 (OT)
Montreal jumped to a 3–0 first-period lead but couldn’t sustain it. J.T. Miller scored at 2:56 of overtime to give the Rangers a comeback win, showing just how quickly momentum can shift in the NHL.
The Canadiens’ start was strong — Zachary Bolduc, Arber Xhekaj, and Jake Evans scored on the first three shots. But lapses in urgency allowed Will Cuylle and Miller to erase the lead, and by the third period and OT, the Canadiens were left with a single point despite a dominant opening.
Rangers 5, Canadiens 4 (OT): Early Jump, Late Lesson
Calgary Flames 2, Los Angeles Kings 1 (OT)
The Calgary Flames didn’t rush, didn’t panic, and played a measured road game. Morgan Frost scored 1:06 into overtime, finishing Jonathan Huberdeau’s feed and giving Calgary a hard-fought 2–1 win.
Blake Coleman’s short-handed goal midway through the second period shifted momentum, and goaltender Dustin Wolf made the saves that mattered, allowing Calgary to control play despite a tight score. This disciplined approach helped the Flames pull out a win and keep their recent streak alive.