Crossing The Atlantic: Toronto Maple Leafs Rivals Week In Review

Nov 9, 2014; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman

(3) during warmup prior to game against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to the first edition of Crossing The Atlantic where we take a look at the Toronto Maple Leafs Atlantic Division rivals and how they did over the past week.

The post is in order of the Atlantic Division standings and will appear every Monday, encompassing the games from the previous Monday until Sunday.

Next: Tampa Bay Lightning

Nov 9, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goalie

(30) and Tampa Bay Lightning center

(9) celebrate after the game against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Tampa Bay won 4-3 in an overtime shootout. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Tampa Bay Lightning – 1st Atlantic Division

The Tampa Bay Lightning are one of the hottest teams in the NHL having won their last six games, including a 5-2 victory over the Calgary Flames, a 7-4 decision against the Columbus Blue Jackets and a 4-3 shootout victory over the Detroit Red Wings in the past week.

Cedric Paquette and Tyler Johnson each had three goals over the week’s three games while Ryan Callahan led the way with a goal and four assists. Lightning captain Steven Stamkos chipped in with two goals and a helper.

The Lightning’s depth has been on display all season long as they battled through a barrage of injuries while maintaining one of the top spots in the Eastern Conference and sit two points ahead of the Montreal Canadiens for first in the Atlantic.

Next: Montreal Canadiens

Nov 8, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing

(11) celebrates his goal against Minnesota Wild with teammates during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

Montreal Canadiens – 2nd Atlantic Division

The Montreal Canadiens continued their hot start to the season posting victories against Buffalo (2-1 SO) and Minnesota (4-1) this week. Their only loss of the week came at the hands of the Chicago Blackhawks by a score of 5-0.

Lars Eller, P.A. Parenteau and Jiri Sekac all had a goal and an assist during the three games while Brandon Prust added two helpers.

The Habs goal scoring troubles continued this week with only 5 goals over the three games. In the Atlantic Division only Buffalo and Florida have scored fewer goals than Montreal.

The Canadiens are in sole possession of 2nd in the Atlantic Division and only two points back of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Next: Detroit Red Wings

Nov 9, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings center

(14) receives congratulations from teammates after scoring in the third period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Joe Louis Arena. Tampa Bay won 4-3 in an overtime shootout. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Red Wings – 3rd Atlantic Division

The Detroit Red Wings struggled to finish during the past week going 1-1-2. A 4-3 shootout loss to Tampa Bay capped off a loss hat-trick after losing in regulation to the Ottawa Senators 3-1 and in overtime to the New York Rangers 4-3. Their lone win came at the expense of the New Jersey Devils by a score of 4-2.

Pavel Datsyuk missed the Wings last two games with a groin injury and failed to record a point in the other two contests. Johan Franzen led the Wings offensively with two goals and three assists over the four games.

While they only recorded one win, the Wings still sit one point up on Boston for 3^rd in the Atlantic.

Next: Boston Bruins

Nov 6, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; The puck slips out of the glove of Boston Bruins goalie

(40) in front of Edmonton Oilers right wing

(14) during the second period at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Bruins – 4th Atlantic Division

The Boston Bruins got off to a sluggish start to the season but have since righted the ship in a standings-climbing direction.

The Bruins are now on a four-game winning streak after enjoying a light week with only two games on tap. They collected a 2-1 OT win over the Florida Panthers and finished the week with a 5-2 drubbing of the Edmonton Oilers.

Brad Marchand drove the B’s offense with a goal and two assists, including the OT winner against Florida, and Dougie Hamilton recorded a goal and two assists in the game against Edmonton.

Tuukka Rask escaped a tough few games in mid-October and has returned to playing world class between the pipes and Boston has overcome a depleted defensive group to turn their season back in the right direction.

Boston sits tied for fourth in the Atlantic with the Toronto Maple Leafs but have the tiebreaker.

Next: Ottawa Senators

Nov 9, 2014; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goalie

(34) makes a save on shot from Ottawa Senators center

(93) in the second period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Ottawa Senators – 6th Atlantic Division

After a 3-1 start to the season the Ottawa Senators went 2-2-2 to slip down in the standings before going 2-1-1 in the last week.

The Sens opened the week with a 3-1 win over the Red Wings followed by a 3-0 victory over the Minnesota Wild. They dropped both weekend contests, a 2-1 shootout loss to Winnipeg and a 5-3 loss to Toronto in the Battle of Ontario, to close out the week.

Craig Anderson powered the Senators this week allowing only two goals in the three games he appeared in. Mike Hoffman was the only Senator to record a multi-point game during the week when he scored two goals against the Wild. Erik Karlsson had a goal and an assist during the four-game week.

The Sens sit one point back of Toronto but have a game in hand.

Next: Florida Panthers

Nov 8, 2014; Sunrise, FL, USA; Calgary Flames defenseman

(5) scores a goal past Florida Panthers goalie

(35) as defenseman

(44) cannot clear the puck in the second period at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Florida Panthers – 7th Atlantic Division

The Florida Panthers have been the definition of average so far this season posting a 4-4-4 record through twelve games.

Their record looked better before they dropped a 6-4 decision to the Calgary Flames, a 4-1 contest to the Philadelphia Flyers and a 2-1 OT decision to the Boston Bruins over the past week.

Scottie Upshall had two goals and an assist while rookie Aaron Ekblad posted three helpers over the three game span. Fellow defender Dimitry Kulikov also chipped in three assists.

Expectations for the Panthers heading into the season were that they would be an improved team but still struggle to find victories with an unimpressive offense. Sitting alone in 7^th in the Atlantic backs up that pre-season outlook.

Next: Buffalo Sabres