Professor’s Press Box: Last Night in Canadian Hockey – Surprises, Struggles, and Standout Moments

Last night in Canadian hockey, the teams we care about most delivered a mixed bag of grit, flashes of brilliance, and lessons in perseverance. Ottawa pulled off a surprise over the hottest team in hockey, Montreal hit a rough patch at home, and Toronto tried to hang tough without Auston Matthews. Edmonton’s stars lit up the scoreboard but couldn’t fully contain Columbus, Calgary finally found rhythm against San Jose, and Winnipeg let a lead slip on the road in Seattle.

It was a night to watch players rise to the occasion, to see goalies stand tall, and to notice the subtle ways small errors can turn the tide. Whether it was a veteran like John Tavares carrying the Maple Leafs’ offense, or a rookie like Dennis Hildeby proving he belongs in high-pressure moments, there was plenty to talk about, cheer for, and learn from. Let’s break down each Canadian team’s night, the highs, the lows, and the plays that had everyone buzzing.

Game One: Senators 5, Bruins 3 – Stützle Leads Ottawa Past the Hottest Team in Hockey

Ottawa came in determined, and you could feel it from the opening faceoff. Claude Giroux set the pace early with a power-play strike fed by Tim Stützle, and Dylan Cozens made it 2–0 late in the first, giving the building a palpable lift. The Bruins pushed back, but Leevi Merilainen’s calm, steady work in net kept Ottawa in control. In the third, Shane Pinto and Stützle’s line took over, threading passes and burying chances to secure a win that mattered as much for confidence as for standings.

Game Two: Stars 7, Canadiens 0 – Montreal Completely Out of Sync on Home Ice

Montreal never found its footing against a rolling Dallas attack. Jakub Dobes faced odd-man rushes and loose coverage, while the team’s forecheck struggled to engage. Alex Newhook’s injury only compounded a difficult night, and Sam Montembeault had little chance once he came in for relief. This one’s a reminder that even a competitive team can unravel quickly when structure slips.

Game Three: Kings 4, Maple Leafs 3 (OT) – Maple Leafs Show Heart but Fall in OT

Toronto showed grit and depth without Auston Matthews. Bobby McMann’s early breakaway goal and John Tavares’ net-front finishes carried the offense, while Dennis Hildeby stood tall with 33 saves. But in the second, the Leafs tilted backward, allowing Los Angeles to seize momentum. Quinton Byfield scored 35 seconds into OT, finishing a comeback that had been brewing. Effort and structure were there, but the night was a lesson in protecting leads.

Game Four: Blue Jackets 5, Oilers 4 – Edmonton’s Late Push Comes Up Short

Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl did their part with points on the board, but Columbus capitalized on soft coverage and loose pucks to build a 5–2 lead. The Oilers pushed back in the third, buzzing the net and making life uncomfortable for Columbus, but it wasn’t enough. Stars can shine, but defensive discipline remains crucial on the road, and Edmonton learned that the hard way.

Game Five: Flames 2, Sharks 0 – Calgary Finally Finds Its Footing

Calgary’s patience and checking paid off. Blake Coleman’s second-period goal off a turnover was textbook, and Samuel Honzek sealed it with an empty-netter. Dustin Wolf stayed calm and composed, turning aside the few Sharks chances that came his way. From start to finish, the Flames bought in, played disciplined, and reminded everyone what a structure-first, low-scoring win looks like.

Game Six: Kraken 5, Jets 3 – Winnipeg Lets Another Lead Slip

Winnipeg had three separate leads but couldn’t hold any of them. Early momentum was strong, and the power play produced a goal, but Seattle’s Jordan Eberle struck twice in the third, and the Jets never regained urgency. For a team now 1-4-0 on the road, the pattern is clear: good stretches and individual effort aren’t enough when execution and detail fail under pressure.

Last Night in Canadian Hockey Wrap-Up:

Across the six games, Canadian hockey gave us thrills, frustrations, and plenty of talking points. Ottawa and Calgary reminded us what buy-in and discipline look like, Montreal and Winnipeg showed how quickly lapses can snowball, and Toronto and Edmonton demonstrated that effort alone isn’t enough without structure. There’s a lot to build on and a lot to fix — which, for fans of the Canadian game, is exactly the kind of night we love to watch.