Fowler shines at Heritage Classic: Atlantic Division roundup

There were no games on the Atlantic Division schedule Monday, but the weekend provided plenty of storylines: a Heritage Classic win for the Canadiens, a late Panthers victory in Chicago, and a spotlight on Morgan Rielly’s resurgence in Toronto.

Canadiens make the most of the Heritage Classic

In Winnipeg, the Montreal Canadiens came away from the Heritage Classic with a 2–1 win over the Jets. Sportsnet and La Presse both highlight Jacob Fowler as the key figure in the game, emphasizing how his goaltending allowed Montreal to build a lead in the second period and hang on to it the rest of the way.

Sportsnet notes that Lane Hutson opened the scoring off a cross-ice feed from Noah Dobson and that Kaiden Guhle doubled the lead with a point shot through traffic. The network also reports that Cole Caufield assisted on both Montreal goals, while Isak Rosen drew Winnipeg to within one at 2–1 in the third period.

Eyes on the Prize points out that head coach Martin St. Louis, who has fond memories of outdoor rinks from his youth, relished the chance to take part in the outdoor showcase, and the site underlines how composed Fowler looked in that setting.

Panthers steal one late in Chicago

For the Florida Panthers, a 3–2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday keeps them in the thick of a tight Atlantic race; they sit sixth with 14 points in 12 games. La Presse reports that Lars Eller scored the winner with less than three minutes remaining in the third period, a first goal of the season that Sportsnet also underscores as the difference in the game.

Sportsnet adds that Matthew Tkachuk scored, while Brady Tkachuk and Sam Reinhart each chipped in an assist in the 3–2 decision.

Rielly’s rebound and a crowded top of the Atlantic

In Toronto, The Hockey News focuses on Morgan Rielly, describing how the veteran defenceman is rebounding after what it calls a terrible 2025–26 season. According to the outlet, no teams were interested in trading for him this summer, but his strong 2026–27 start now makes him a prime example of a veteran with plenty left in the tank.

In the standings, Boston still leads the Atlantic with 19 points in 12 games, just ahead of Ottawa and Toronto at 16. Tampa Bay, Montreal, and Florida are within two points of top spot, while Detroit and Buffalo sit at 11 points. Even on an off-night for the division, the table remains tightly packed and every result around the league matters.