The Winnipeg Jets did the Montreal Canadiens a favour by beating the Boston Bruins allowing them to remain in a top-three divisional spot.
The NHL is slowly getting back to full force as teams are coming off their bye-weeks. Tuesday was an important one for the Montreal Canadiens being one of two games the Boston Bruins would play while they’re on break.
The Habs had a two-point buffer over the Bruins which could easily be lost with a pair of wins against the Winnipeg Jets and Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday. Additionally, the Buffalo Sabres are still kicking and got back at it to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets. They aren’t a direct threat at the moment but may become one depending on their performance in the second half sitting seven points behind Montreal.
Well, the Jets deserve a cautious thank you for their efforts. They got the win over Boston propelling them to first in the Central Division. The only downside is it took the shootout to get things done.
It was a seesaw night for both teams as the Bruins got on the scoreboard first via Patrice Bergeron. The rest of the first period saw Winnipeg and Boston exchange powerplay goals leading into an uneventful second. Then Kyle Connor decided he wanted to get his team the ‘W’ by scoring two goals in 34 seconds bringing his goal total this year to 21.
Unfortunately, those pesky Bruins share a trait with the Montreal Canadiens in that they don’t give up either. Bergeron scored to tie the game at three and force overtime which solved nothing. Connor came up big again in the shootout being the only forward to score and grab the two points for the Jets.
It’s bittersweet. Boston gets a single tally for pushing the game beyond regulation and are now one point behind the Habs with a game in hand (that being the Thursday match against Philadelphia). On the bright side, Montreal would’ve gotten bumped back to a wild-card spot if the Bruins won, so there’s that.
Buffalo walked out on a more positive note beating the Blue Jackets 5-4. The same back and forth dynamic was seen in this game as well with Connor Sheary being the hero early in the third period. The Sabres are now five points back of Montreal which is something to keep an eye on.
With the Habs still on break, all we can do is watch and hope for more help from the rest of the league. Once the team is back, they can take care of their own business and create more of a separation.
East Conference (as of January 30th)
Atlantic Division
- Tampa Bay Lightning – 76 points
- Toronto Maple Leafs – 62 points
- Montreal Canadiens – 61 points
Metropolitan Division
- New York Islanders – 63 points
- Washington Capitals – 60 points
- Columbus Blue Jackets – 59 points