Canadiens sweep road trip as Thompson, Arvidsson star – Atlantic Division roundup

A busy night in the Atlantic saw the Canadiens complete a perfect road trip and close in on first place, Buffalo and Detroit ride hat tricks to victories, and Ottawa stage a wild comeback that still ended in defeat.

Canadiens rolling, Larkin situation in the backdrop

In Dallas, the Canadiens handled the Stars 5–2. According to Sportsnet, Cole Caufield and Alex Newhook each scored twice, while La Presse notes Jakub Dobeš stopped 17 shots in the win. Eyes on the Prize points out that Montreal swept its trip with four straight regulation wins. La Presse describes the journey as unexpected, and Sportsnet underlines that the Habs did it without Nick Suzuki, Ivan Demidov or Mike Matheson and with a power play that still isn’t clicking. Montreal now sits alone in 2nd place in the division with 18 points in 13 games.

Eyes on the Prize also rounds up external speculation about the Canadiens’ potential involvement in a major trade, including whether Michael Hage would need to be part of an offer and whether Detroit could be using Montreal as leverage in talks around Dylan Larkin. We have already reported separately that Larkin has been held out of the Red Wings lineup amid trade discussions.

Sportsnet adds that Lane Hutson has set a franchise record for the most assists by a Canadiens player before age 23.

Lightning, Sabres and Red Wings deliver statement wins

In Tampa, the Lightning outlasted the Jets 6–4. Sportsnet reports that Pontus Holmberg posted a goal and three assists, with Brandon Hagel and Anthony Cirelli chipping in three points apiece as Tampa Bay survived a late Winnipeg push. The win gives the Lightning 17 points in 12 games, good for 3rd in the Atlantic.

It was a track meet in Anaheim, where the Sabres edged the Ducks 7–6. Per Sportsnet, Tage Thompson had a massive night with a hat trick and five points, while Peyton Krebs picked up three assists. Sportsnet also notes that this was Thompson’s 10th career hat trick, helping Buffalo climb to 15 points and draw level with Detroit.

Detroit did its part with a 4–1 victory over the Blackhawks. Sportsnet highlights Viktor Arvidsson’s hat trick plus an assist, with Alex DeBrincat adding two helpers. Daily Faceoff frames the win as carrying extra meaning for Moritz Seider after the team suspended Larkin following his announcement that he would sit out until traded, and Sportsnet relays Seider’s message about turning the page.

Sens’ wild rally, Bruins stumble, others idle

In Los Angeles, the Senators nearly pulled off a miracle before losing 6–5 in overtime. Sportsnet says the Kings squandered a four-goal third-period lead as Ottawa scored four unanswered to force OT, only to see Quinton Byfield bury the winner, with Drew Doughty recording three assists.

It was a costly night, too. Daily Faceoff reports Andre Burakovsky left the game with an upper-body injury after previously missing four games earlier this season with a similar issue, while Sportsnet describes a lower-body injury suffered against the Kings. Hayden Hodgson was ejected for boarding Brandt Clarke; Daily Faceoff notes he received 15 minutes in penalties on the play, and Sportsnet suggests he may be hearing from the league.

At the top of the standings, the Bruins were cooled off in a 4–1 loss to the Blues. Sportsnet points to Joel Hofer’s 31 saves and Robert Thomas’ three-point night in a setback that leaves Boston still first with 19 points, but with the pack closing in.

The Panthers and Maple Leafs were off the schedule and largely out of the headlines, yet remain firmly in the mix just one or two points back, underscoring how tight the Atlantic already is.