Professors Press Box Morning Review – Nov. 6: Flames, Canucks & Maple Leafs

Hockey has a way of serving up drama in threes. Wednesday night was no exception, with Canadian teams leaving very different impressions on the ice. In Calgary, Nazem Kadri celebrated his 1,000th NHL game with a goal and leadership that lifted the Flames to a convincing win. Over in Vancouver, the Canucks dominated early but suffered a stunning third-period collapse as Tyler Bertuzzi’s hat trick carried Chicago to victory. Meanwhile, in Toronto, John Tavares was honored for his 500th NHL goal and promptly added his 501st, guiding the Maple Leafs to a hard-fought comeback over the Utah Mammoth. Three nights, three stories, three reminders of how quickly fortunes can swing in the NHL.

Game One: Kadri’s 1,000th Game Ignites the Flames — A Night to Remember in Calgary

Every once in a while, hockey gives you a script that writes itself. On his 1,000th NHL game, Nazem Kadri didn’t just show up — he led. The Calgary Flames’ 5–1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets was more than a victory; it was a celebration of a player who has fought, clawed, and persevered through every twist of a long career. Kadri’s goal midway through the second period brought the Saddledome crowd to its feet, a perfect exclamation mark on a night that belonged entirely to him.

The Flames struck early — two goals in the first 92 seconds — and never looked back. Morgan Frost and Blake Coleman set the tone, and Dustin Wolf, the young goaltender with the calm eyes of a veteran, turned away 42 shots. It wasn’t a high-wire thriller, but it was efficient, organized, and confident — three words Calgary hasn’t been able to claim often this season.

Coach Ryan Huska said it best: Kadri is a gamer. On big nights, he finds a way to matter — whether by scoring, throwing a hit, or setting the emotional temperature. Wednesday night was proof again. He became just the 13th player to play his 1,000th career game in a Flames uniform and the second to score in it, joining Martin Gelinas. For Kadri — who has been both beloved and misunderstood at stops along the way — this milestone was pure vindication. He’s found a home in Calgary, and on this night, the Flames found their heartbeat.

Game Two: Canucks Dominate Early, Collapse Late as Bertuzzi’s Hat Trick Sinks Vancouver

The night’s drama shifted west, where the Vancouver Canucks seemed poised for another statement win. For two periods, they looked every bit in control — generating double the scoring chances, firing 43 shots, and dictating the pace against a tired Chicago team. But hockey games aren’t won on possession charts, and Wednesday night proved that cruel lesson again. The Canucks’ effort unraveled in the third, when Tyler Bertuzzi exploded for a hat trick to lead the Blackhawks to a stunning 5–2 comeback win at Rogers Arena.

The turning point came midway through the second period when Drew O’Connor appeared to open the scoring, only for the goal to be overturned after a successful Chicago challenge for goalie interference. From there, momentum shifted sharply. Spencer Knight shut the door with a brilliant 43-save performance, while Connor Bedard extended his point streak to six games with a goal and an assist in his hometown return.

Head coach Adam Foote tried to make sense of the loss afterward, suggesting fatigue from the road trip might have played a role. “One of those early chances goes in, it’s a different game,” he admitted. “We just got off a little bit defensively, and overpressed.” For the Canucks — now alternating wins and losses for six straight — the positives remain in their process. But this one will sting, not least because they’d won 11 straight against Chicago until Bertuzzi and company flipped the script in 20 painful minutes.

Game Three: Tavares Honored, Matthews Leads as Maple Leafs Beat Utah in Emotional Win

The final act of Wednesday’s Canadian hockey evening came in Toronto, where the Maple Leafs turned emotion into a win. John Tavares was honored for scoring his 500th NHL goal — and promptly added his 501st to help Toronto beat the Utah Mammoth 5–3. The pregame ceremony, featuring his family and teammates, carried real emotion. But the focus quickly shifted to the ice, where Tavares backhanded home a loose puck midway through the third to break a 2–2 tie, sending the crowd into a long ovation that celebrated both past achievement and present impact.

Auston Matthews, now wearing the captain’s “C” after Tavares voluntarily stepped back from the role, praised his former captain afterward. “It’s a huge honor to play with a guy like that,” he said. Matthews himself continued his hot streak, scoring for the third straight game and tying Dave Keon for second-most home goals in franchise history (225). William Nylander and Matthew Knies each added a goal and an assist, while Matias Maccelli — in a poetic twist — scored against his former team to seal the victory.

Head coach Craig Berube credited the team’s maturity in closing the game. “We played a smart, solid game against a fast opponent,” he said. Toronto has now won three straight and five of six, with a new mix of leadership and poise that feels sustainable. Between Tavares’ class, Matthews’ rising influence, and Nylander’s ongoing brilliance, the Maple Leafs’ core looks as balanced and united as it has in years — something that bodes well for the months ahead.