Professor’s Press Box Morning Review - November 10: Leafs, Canucks, Flames, Sens & Jets

The early season continues to offer its usual mix of promise and frustration for Canada’s NHL teams. After 16 games, there are flashes of brilliance — elite scoring lines, strong goaltending performances, and glimpses of depth stepping up — but there are also recurring questions about structure, consistency, and finishing in key moments. Wins are rarely clean, losses are rarely surprising, and every team seems to be chasing small adjustments to stay in the conversation.

Here’s how the action unfolded over the weekend:

Game One: Maple Leafs Let Lead Slip in 5-4 Heartbreaker Against Hurricanes

Toronto had the top line humming early, with William Nylander and Auston Matthews driving the attack and Dennis Hildeby making 42 saves. Nylander extended his point streak to 10 games, Matthews and John Tavares were productive, and Morgan Rielly contributed from the blue line. But turnovers and lost battles allowed Carolina to mount a three-goal comeback, capped by Logan Stankoven’s go-ahead goal in the third. Coach Craig Berube’s message was clear: talent alone isn’t enough, and full 60-minute focus remains elusive.

Game Two: Canucks Show Heart but Fall Short in 5-4 OT Loss Against Avalanche

Vancouver hung tough against a relentless Colorado team. Linus Karlsson scored his first, Kiefer Sherwood his 10th, and Jake DeBrusk tied it late, while Kevin Lankinen stopped 27 shots. But repeated waves of Avalanche pressure and a breakdown in overtime left the Canucks empty-handed. The takeaway: Vancouver’s depth forwards are starting to click, but defensive structure and special teams need to hold through the full 65 minutes.

Game Three: Flames Fall Short 2-0 in Minnesota Despite Solid Play

Calgary worked hard in St. Paul, testing Jesper Wallstedt with chances that wouldn’t go in. Jonathan Huberdeau had a breakaway stopped, Mikael Backlund and the line created opportunities, yet the puck refused to find the net in a 2-0 loss. Coach Ryan Huska liked the effort, but finishing remains a persistent challenge. The first regulation loss in Minnesota since 2019 proves that solid play doesn’t always translate to points.

Game Four: Senators Stretch Point Streak to Five with Calm 4-2 Win Over Mammoth

Ottawa’s mix of youth and poise carried them to a 4-2 win over Utah. Leevi Merilainen made 29 saves, Ridly Greig and Jordan Spence each had a goal and an assist, Dylan Cozens was everywhere with two helpers, and Michael Amadio scored for the fourth straight game. The Senators played a structured, efficient game — no flash needed, just smart positioning, puck management, and capitalization on rebounds. It’s the kind of performance that bodes well for continued consistency.

Game Five: Jets Struggle Early on Road Trip as Ducks Win 4-1 to Extend Win Streak

Winnipeg fell behind early in Anaheim and couldn’t recover, losing 4-1 as Leo Carlsson scored twice on the power play. Kyle Connor reached 600 NHL points, but the Jets’ defensive gaps and lack of cohesion on the road were exposed. Cole Perfetti’s debut offered some spark, yet this is a reminder that road trips demand execution and system discipline; without it, even milestone games feel like setbacks.