Professor’s Press Box Morning Review – Nov. 4: Oilers, Jets & Canadiens

It wasn’t a great night for Canadian teams. Although both the Edmonton Oilers and the Montréal Canadiens forced overtime, neither earned the full two points. Still, one point is better than none — and they all count in the end. Here’s a look back at how the three Canadian teams fared on Tuesday, November 4.

Game One: Oilers Let One Slip Away in Dallas 4-3

For two and a half periods, it looked like the Edmonton Oilers had finally found a formula that worked — a solid start, a couple of highlight-reel goals, and Stuart Skinner holding firm. But hockey doesn’t reward partial efforts, and the Oilers learned that the hard way in Dallas. Up 3–1 in the third, they unraveled just enough to let the Stars back in, eventually losing 4–3 in a shootout.

Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl each looked sharp, building what should have been a comfortable lead. McDavid’s wrist shot midway through the third was vintage — speed, space, and finish. Vasily Podkolzin chipped in early, and Jack Roslovic quietly added two helpers. But when the pressure mounted, the Oilers lost their structure. Dallas didn’t overpower them; Edmonton handed them oxygen. As coach Kris Knoblauch said afterward, “We lost focus and responsibility.” That’s coach-speak for: we beat ourselves. {Note, to be fair, the Oilers were on the second game of a back-to-back, which was also an overtime game.}

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins didn’t hide from it either. “We let them get comfortable,” he said. “Too many of these games.” He’s right — it’s a pattern. Edmonton can play great hockey for 50 minutes, but can’t yet lock down the final ten. This team is close — you can feel it — but until they learn to close out games like this, every win will feel like a coin flip. The Oilers head into a break before facing Colorado, and maybe that’s what they need: a reset, a deep breath, and a reminder that championship teams don’t give away games. They bury them.

Game Two: Jets Grounded in Los Angeles in 3-0 Shutout

The Winnipeg Jets rolled into Los Angeles riding high on a three-game winning streak and an undefeated road record. They left empty-handed, shut out 3–0 by a Kings team that finally found its footing at home. Darcy Kuemper turned back the clock with 23 saves for his 37th career shutout, while Connor Hellebuyck matched him save for save until the dam broke. For a team that’s been thriving on second chances and quick-strike attacks, this one felt like trying to light a match underwater.

Head coach Scott Arniel didn’t mince words afterward: “We were one and done.” That’s exactly what it looked like — one shot, no rebound, no chaos in front. The Jets’ offense never really made Kuemper uncomfortable, and that’s rare for this group. Maybe it was the start of a long road trip, maybe just one of those off nights, but Winnipeg didn’t play with its usual snarl.

There was at least one bright note for the Jets. Captain Adam Lowry returned from hip surgery to make his season debut. It wasn’t flashy (one shot in 14 minutes), but it was meaningful. The Jets need his heartbeat, especially on the grind of a six-game road swing. If nothing else, this game was a reminder that effort alone doesn’t win in the NHL. You have to get dirty, stay on the puck, and make the goalie’s night miserable. The Jets didn’t — and the scoreboard showed it.

Game Three: Canadiens Fight Back, Then Fall Short in Philadelphia by 5-4 Score

If there’s one thing the Montreal Canadiens don’t lack, it’s heart. They showed plenty of it in Philadelphia — roaring back from a 3–0 deficit to grab a 4–3 lead — only to watch it slip away in a 5–4 shootout loss. For a young team still figuring out who they are, this one will sting. The Flyers jumped all over them early, scoring three times before the first TV timeout, and the Canadiens looked completely rattled. But when the game tilted toward blowout territory, Montreal found its legs, its rhythm, and maybe a little of its pride.

Kirby Dach led the comeback with two goals that had some real bite. Ivan Demidov was dazzling again, setting up Nick Suzuki for one and scoring another himself. The Habs’ second period was some of their best hockey of the year — four goals, pressure all over the ice, and a burst of energy that made you forget how poorly it started. Sam Montembeault, to his credit, settled down after a rough first few minutes and ended up stopping 38 shots. That’s a goaltender refusing to quit, even after being left out to dry early.

But in the end, the Canadiens couldn’t hold the lead. The Flyers’ Trevor Zegras sealed it in the shootout, and Montreal skated off with just one point instead of two. It’s the kind of game that can frustrate a coach but inspire a locker room. They were bad, then brilliant, then just a little short. For a team that’s building for a solid postseason, one point isn’t the end. It’s a reminder that effort and emotion alone can make them dangerous. The trick now is learning how to finish.