Evans steps up without Suzuki, Atlantic Division roundup

Jake Evans made the most of Nick Suzuki’s absence, leading the Montreal Canadiens to a convincing 4–1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Elsewhere, the Tampa Bay Lightning endured a rough night in Denver, dropping a 6–3 decision while captain Victor Hedman left the game early, according to Sportsnet.

Canadiens pass first game without Suzuki

In their first outing without Nick Suzuki, the Canadiens delivered a solid performance at United Center. Sportsnet notes that all four of Montreal’s centres played the kind of reliable, predictable game the team will need in this stretch. Evans was front and centre with two goals and an assist in the 4–1 victory, as reported by Sportsnet and La Presse, while Jacob Fowler turned aside 20 shots, per Sportsnet.

Connor Bedard opened the scoring for Chicago with a quick snap shot, Sportsnet shows, but Montreal responded and earned its first multi-goal win of the season, as highlighted by Eyes on the Prize. Evans also struck while shorthanded, finishing off an odd-man rush before video review confirmed the goal, according to Sportsnet.

Down on the farm, Eyes on the Prize reports the Laval Rocket have climbed to the top of the AHL standings with a seventh straight win, despite juggling recalls and absences in their lineup.

Lightning overpowered in Denver

Tampa Bay ran into a buzzsaw in Colorado. The Avalanche skated away with a 6–3 win, powered by a four-point night from Nathan MacKinnon, who recorded a goal and three assists, according to Sportsnet. Nazem Kadri also notched his first goal of the season. Sportsnet adds that Victor Hedman exited the game early, compounding a tough road night for the Lightning.

Leafs’ depth focus, Sabres’ special-teams woes

Behind Boston and Tampa Bay, the race remains tight. The Maple Leafs sit fourth with 14 points in 12 games, riding a three-game win streak into Edmonton for a major test against Connor McDavid and the Oilers, as outlined by Sportsnet. Another Sportsnet segment points to Toronto’s fourth line as a key differentiator from last season, after the trio combined for seven points in Thursday’s win over New York.

The Sabres, meanwhile, are 4–4–2 for 10 points in 10 games, a middling start in a tough Atlantic, writes The Hockey Writers, who underline special teams as an area in need of improvement. On the goalie market, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman details how the Sabres and Panthers were in the running for Connor Hellebuyck before the Devils ultimately landed the Jets’ star netminder.

In Montreal’s broader arena picture, La Presse reports that a renovated Olympic Stadium is not among the NHL’s options, leaving the Canadiens’ situation unchanged for now.