Crossing The Atlantic: Maple Leafs Divisional Report
Nov 15, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer (34) makes a save during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
It’s that time of the week again for us to take a look at how the Toronto Maple Leafs division rivals did over the past seven days.
This week featured a lot of moving up and down the Standings as teams begin to settle out nearing the quarter mark of the NHL season. Only the Florida Panthers and Buffalo Sabres remained in the same spots as last week.
As always, the post is in order of the Atlantic Division standings. Let’s begin:
Next: Montreal Canadiens
Nov 16, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Montreal Canadiens right wing
Brendan Gallagher(11) receives congratulations from teammates after scoring in the third period against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Montreal won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Montreal Canadiens – 1st Atlantic Division
The Montreal Canadiens won four straight in the past week to move into first place in the Atlantic Division, as well as the entire NHL. They are on a six game win streak overall.
The Habs exploded for 18 goals in the four victories over Winnipeg (3-0), Boston (5-1), Philadelphia (6-4) and Detroit (4-1).
Max Pacioretty had two goals and four assists during the four games while Tomas Plekanc had two goals and three assists.
The goal explosion is exactly what Montreal had been looking for all season. Up until now it was Carey Price carrying the Canadiens, and it’s difficult to make that last, but with the offense clicking over the past seven days the Habs have streaked to the top of the conference.
Next: Tampa Bay Lightning
Nov 15, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goalie
Ben Bishop(30) talks with defenseman
Eric Brewer(2) against the New York Islanders during the third period at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the New York Islanders 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay Lightning – 2nd Atlantic Division
The Lightning conceded top spot in the Atlantic Division to the Canadiens this week as they went 1-1-1.
A shootout loss to the Blackhawks to open the week was followed by a regulation loss to San Jose where they were dominated before rebounding against the Islanders for a 5-2 victory.
Steven Stamkos led the way with a goal and two assists while Ryan Callahan and Valtteri Filppula each had a goal and an assist over the three game span.
The Lightning’s week went opposite their plan, with the goal well drying up in the first two games before they filled the cage again against New York.
The first forty minutes of the Chicago game, and the San Jose game, cost the Lightning the first spot in the East as they struggled to gain any momentum. They sit three points back of Montreal and have a game in hand.
Next: Boston Bruins
Nov 13, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Boston Bruins defenseman
Dougie Hamilton(27) reacts with teammates after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the first period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Boston Bruins – 3rd Atlantic Division
The Boston Bruins when 2-2 this week to move into third spot in the Atlantic Division.
The Bruins beat New Jersey and Carolina, suffering losses to the first place Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Patrice Bergeron score two goals and three assists to pace the Bruins offense, getting in on 5 of 8 Bruins goals for the week.
The team has slowed down after winning five straight but are still a threat to the division even without Zdeno Chara.
Despite a low-scoring week the Bruins were able to move up the Atlantic Division standings. Their lead isn’t comfortable, though, as Detroit sits one point back with two games in hand and the Ottawa Senators are two points back with a game in hand.
Next: Detroit Red Wings
Nov 16, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings left wing
Henrik Zetterberg(40) skates with the puck in the first period against the Montreal Canadiens at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Red Wings – 4th Atlantic Division
The Red Wings went 1-1 during a very short week, having Monday to Thursday off before beating the Blackhawks 4-1 and then losing to the Canadiens by the same score.
Tomas Tatar and Luke Glendening each had a goal and a helper for the Wings over the two games.
The drop in the standings for Detroit can be attributed more to the lack of games played rather than the 1-1 record itself.
They still hold two games in hand over the third place Boston Bruins while trailing them by only a point.
Detroit spends the upcoming week on the road with games in Columbus, Toronto and Winnipeg as they look to return to third in the Atlantic.
Next: Ottawa Senators
Nov 13, 2014; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Ottawa Senators goalie
Craig Anderson(41) makes a save against the Edmonton OIlers at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Steve Alkok-USA TODAY Sports
Ottawa Senators – 5th Atlantic Division
The Ottawa Senators went to overtime against Vancouver and Edmonton this week, dropping a 4-3 decision to the Canucks before beating the Oilers 4-3. They finished the week against Calgary with a 4-2 victory to close out with a 1-1-1 record.
Mike Hoffman continued his hot play for the Sens scoring three goals over the three games. Kyle Turris and Alex Chiasson each had a goal and an assist while Erik Karlsson was held to just one helper for the week.
It was a good week offensively for the Senators as they averaged over three goals per game while spreading out the goals around the team.
The Senators week was good enough to boost them into fifth spot in the Atlantic Division, overtaking the Toronto Maple Leafs due to having a game in hand, although the Florida Panthers are, surprisingly, only three points back with two games in hand.
Next: Florida Panthers
Nov 16, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Florida Panthers center
Jonathan Huberdeau(11) celebrates after he scores a goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Florida Panthers – 7th Atlantic Division
Florida went 2-0-1 on the week to inch closer to the Leafs and Senators in the Atlantic Division standings.
Regulation wins against San Jose and Anaheim and a shootout loss to the New York Islanders is how they got there. The Panthers scored an impressive 13 goals in their three games for the week.
Jussi Jokinen led the way with 5 assists while Aaron Ekblad chipped in with a goal and three assists. The Panthers rookie defender is coming into his own early in his career and Florida is reaping the benefits of his solid play.
Al Montoya was in goal for the Anaheim victory an Roberto Luongo received the other two stars.
Florida is now seven points up on the Buffalo Sabres in 7th and only three back of the Toronto Maple Leafs, with three games in hand, for 6th in the Atlantic Division.
Next: Buffalo Sabres
Nov 15, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing
Matt Moulson(26) celebrates his second period goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Buffalo Sabres – 8th Atlantic Division
The Sabres dropped a 6-1 decision to St. Louis and a 6-3 contest to the Minnesota Wild before embarrassing the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-2 to close out the week with a 1-2 record.
Despite the win against the Maple Leafs, the Sabres sit all alone in the basement of the NHL and well in control of the Connor McDavid sweepstakes.
Tyler Ennis had two goals and three assists, Matt Moulson had a goal and four assists and Drew Stafford had a goal and three assists to pace the Sabres offense over the week.
Prior to exploding for six goals against Toronto the Sabres had averaged 1.33 goals per game. They’ll look to keep the new-found offense as they wrap up a three game home stand this week against San Jose and the New York Rangers.
The Sabres are seven points back of Florida for 7th in the division and have played four more games than the Panthers.