Last Night in Canadian Hockey – Dec. 9: Oilers, Senators, Habs & Jets
It was another night of ups, downs, and near-misses for Canada’s NHL clubs. The Edmonton Oilers staged a furious comeback but fell in overtime; the Ottawa Senators battled hard yet came up short again; the Montréal Canadiens were outclassed in a lopsided loss; and the Winnipeg Jets clawed their way back into a game only to leave empty-handed. Each team showed flashes of what they can do — and, just as often, what they need to fix.
Below, we break down each game. If you want a fuller review of any matchup, follow the “complete game review” link under each summary.
Buffalo Sabres 4, Edmonton Oilers 3 (OT)
The Edmonton Oilers pulled off a stunning third-period rally, scoring three unanswered to tie the game 3–3 with two seconds left. Connor McDavid spearheaded the comeback, and Rogers Place was electric. Unfortunately, 33 seconds into overtime, Alex Tuch broke free and beat Stuart Skinner on the glove side, ending the night in heartbreak.
The Oilers’ effort was undeniable, but their slow start — six penalties, poor puck management, and flat early play — left them with too much ground to cover. Still, McDavid’s two goals and Vasily Podkolzin’s crease work reminded everyone what this team can do when firing on all cylinders. Skinner battled valiantly, but the early deficit and one OT mistake were too much to overcome.
Sabres 4, Oilers 3 (OT): Brilliant Comeback Wasted
New Jersey Devils 4, Ottawa Senators 3
The Ottawa Senators once again saw their hard work undone, losing 4–3 to the New Jersey Devils. Ottawa grabbed the early lead, powered the man advantage, and battled back repeatedly. Drake Batherson scored twice, Tim Stutzle added a power-play goal, and Linus Ullmark made key saves. But a costly turnover late allowed Cody Glass to score the winner, continuing the Senators’ frustrating slide.
Ottawa created chances and competed well at even strength, but they’re still struggling to generate five-on-five offense. Mistakes at the wrong moments — like the turnover leading to the deciding goal — continue to overshadow strong individual performances. The power play is effective, but long-term success demands consistent scoring across all situations.
Devils 4, Senators 3: Another Good Effort, Painful Result
Tampa Bay Lightning 6, Montréal Canadiens 1
Montréal Canadiens fans hoped for a chance to exploit a tired Tampa Bay Lightning team, but the result was a 6–1 drubbing. The Lightning jumped out to a quick lead, scoring multiple early goals, and Montréal never recovered. Jakub Dobes and Sam Montembeault were both beaten, forcing the Canadiens to scramble to regain composure.
The bright spot was Oliver Kapanen, who scored a power-play goal and stayed engaged despite the lopsided score. Still, Montréal’s defensive breakdowns and lapses in positioning made the night a tough lesson. Cole Caufield’s 11-game point streak ended, highlighting the need for more consistent team play.
Lightning 6, Canadiens 1: Tough Night, Tough Lessons
Dallas Stars 4, Winnipeg Jets 3
The Winnipeg Jets fell behind early to the Dallas Stars and were down 3–0 before the game really began. They never fully recovered in a 4–3 loss. Mark Scheifele scored twice, and Kyle Connor added two assists, sparking a second-half rally, but the Jets couldn’t erase the early deficit. Dallas’ special teams and Mikko Rantanen’s playmaking were decisive.
Despite the loss, Winnipeg showed improved five-on-five play, strong forechecking, and tighter defensive gaps. Logan Stanley’s third-period goal gave the Jets life late, but the inability to convert with the man advantage and early mistakes ultimately cost them. There were signs of growth, but the Jets need to stop giving opponents big leads.