Last Night in Canadian Hockey - Dec. 22: A Night That Drew Clearer Lines
Sunday night didn’t overwhelm with drama, but it clarified a few things for Canadian teams trying to define their seasons. There were moments of growth, moments of warning, and one or two reminders that reputation still matters — even when it’s happening at the expense of a rebuilding club.
Across the games, the common thread wasn’t talent so much as control. Teams that managed the early minutes dictated outcomes. Teams that chased — even briefly — paid for it. For Canada’s clubs, it was a night that sharpened the margin between stability and drift.
Montreal Canadiens: Progress, Interrupted — but Not Undone
The Canadiens’ 4–3 shootout loss in Pittsburgh mattered less for the standings than for what it revealed about Montreal’s current phase. This wasn’t a collapse or a step backward. It was a competitive road game against a desperate opponent that still leans heavily on its star when things wobble.
The key player was Sidney Crosby, but from Montreal’s perspective, the defining moment came later — when Noah Dobson tied the game in the third period. That goal mattered because it showed Montreal didn’t fold under circumstances. They answered history with composure. That’s nothing for a young team still learning how to hold its shape.
Where the game tilted was an experience. Pittsburgh needed something to stop an eight-game slide, and Crosby delivered structure as much as offence. Montreal stayed with them, but in the shootout — the quiet skills contest that favours veterans — the edge showed. The Canadiens left without points, but not without confirmation that their recent run wasn’t a mirage. These are losses that don’t poison the room.
Ottawa Senators: Momentum Turning Into Identity
Ottawa’s 6–2 win in Boston wasn’t just another victory — it was confirmation that this stretch is becoming something repeatable. Four straight wins matter, but doing it in a building like TD Garden, against a Bruins team usually reliable after losses, sends a stronger signal.
Fabian Zetterlund was the headline with two goals, but the defining moment came early: Ottawa took a 3–0 lead without chaos. This wasn’t opportunistic scoring. It was controlled pressure and quick support, the kind that forces mistakes instead of waiting for them.
The game changed when Tim Stützle and Dylan Cozens scored 19 seconds apart in the second period. That wasn’t about speed — it was about readiness. Boston hadn’t recovered from one breakdown before the next arrived. From there, Ottawa didn’t overextend. They managed the rest of the night like a team that understands game flow, something that’s been missing in past seasons.
This is what momentum looks like when it’s grounded in habits, not adrenaline.
Winnipeg Jets: When the Push Comes Too Late
Winnipeg’s 4–3 overtime loss in Utah fit an uncomfortable pattern. The Jets didn’t lose because they lacked firepower. They failed because urgency arrived late — again.
Kyle Connor did his part with two goals, and the tying goal late in the third showed Winnipeg can still flip a switch. But the defining moment was Clayton Keller’s overtime winner just 13 seconds in. That goal landed because Utah was ready immediately, while the Jets were still resetting.
Where the game tilted was the first half. Winnipeg spotted Utah a three-goal cushion and spent the rest of the night clawing uphill. That’s been the problem lately. Comebacks feel impressive, but they’re also evidence of structural lapses earlier in games.
With just three wins in their last 16, the Jets are flirting with urgency fatigue — needing desperation to function. That’s not sustainable, especially as the standings tighten.
Edmonton Oilers: Control First, Questions Later
Edmonton’s 4–3 win over Vegas wasn’t flashy, but it was precise. The Oilers scored first, leaned into their strengths, and forced Vegas to chase — exactly the script they want.
Connor McDavid was the engine, but the defining moment was Edmonton building a 4–0 lead before the game ever felt unstable. That cushion allowed them to absorb a late push without panic. Even as Vegas closed the gap, Edmonton never looked rushed.
The game tilted on special teams and structure. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ power-play goals mattered because they punished Vegas mistakes immediately. Edmonton’s ability to convert early kept the game from turning into a track meet.
The Oilers continue to show that when they control the opening minutes, they control the outcome. The challenge now is consistency — not just winning, but winning this way regularly.
Toronto Maple Leafs: A Trip That Exposed the Margins
The Maple Leafs’ 5–1 loss in Dallas wasn’t just the end of a 0–3–0 road trip. It was a reminder of how thin their margin is against structured, confident teams. Toronto had chances early, including a clean break by Auston Matthews, but Jake Oettinger erased them and with it any chance to control the night. Once Dallas settled in, the game stayed on the Stars’ terms.
The defining issue was Toronto’s inability to create a turning point. Late second-period pressure produced looks, but no breakthrough, and the power play again offered no relief. When Dallas scored early in the third, the game effectively closed. It wasn’t chaos or collapse — just a quiet loss that highlighted how little room the Maple Leafs currently have when execution isn’t sharp, and opportunities don’t turn into goals.
What the Night Told Us About Canada’s Teams
For Canadian teams, Sunday was about definition. Ottawa is shaping an identity. Edmonton is reinforcing one. Montreal is learning to carry on believing through losses. Winnipeg, meanwhile, is running out of time to decide what kind of team it wants to be.
The standings will sort themselves out later. For now, the warning signs — and the progress — are already evident.