Panthers’ Tkachuk brothers rout Blue Jackets: Atlantic Division roundup

It was a noisy night around the Atlantic Division: the Panthers ran wild in Columbus, the Senators were dismantled at home, the Canadiens needed a shootout to bank two points, and the Maple Leafs’ rally in Utah came up short while Boston tightened its grip on top spot.

Panthers pour it on, Blue Jackets called out

In Columbus, Florida hammered the Blue Jackets 7-3. Sportsnet reports Brady Tkachuk recorded a natural hat trick, Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Reinhart each scored twice, and Matthew Tkachuk picked up five assists in the blowout. La Presse also describes the two Tkachuk brothers “having fun” against Columbus, while Daily Faceoff quotes head coach Rick Bowness saying his Blue Jackets should be “embarrassed” by a performance like that.

Senators’ streak snapped, Greig banged up

The Senators came in riding a three-game win streak and sitting second in the Atlantic with 10 points (5-2-0). That run ended abruptly with a 7-2 loss to the Blues. As highlighted by Sportsnet, Pius Suter and Mason McTavish each had two goals and an assist, Jake Neighbours scored twice, and Pavel Buchnevich tallied three helpers in the lopsided result. Sportsnet also notes that Ridly Greig left the game early with what is described as a strain.

Canadiens survive Sabres push, look ahead to Capitals

At the Bell Centre, Montreal let a two-goal lead slip but still pulled out a 4-3 shootout win over Buffalo. According to Sportsnet, Lane Hutson and Cole Caufield both had two-point nights, and Zachary Bolduc scored the winner in the shootout. La Presse writes that despite “bad luck” hounding the Canadiens, they managed to grab both points and points to the blue line as a key to the result. Another La Presse piece notes RDS experienced “technical difficulties” broadcasting the game. Previously on our site, we had already covered Mike Matheson being sidelined for this matchup and Kaiden Guhle’s importance now that he is healthy, which Sportsnet underscores again.

Attention now shifts to Washington. La Presse lays out five storylines to watch with the Capitals, from the Hutson brothers facing each other to the context around Alexander Ovechkin, while Eyes on the Prize provides a full game preview with start time, viewing options and a Tale of the Tape for Game 7 of Montreal’s season.

Maple Leafs fall late, Bruins strengthen hold on top

In Utah, the Maple Leafs dropped a 5-4 decision to the Mammoth. Sportsnet highlights a goal and an assist from Mikhail Sergachev, a goal from Vincent Trocheck, and Gavin McKenna wiring home his second career marker to cut the lead to one in the third period. The same outlet describes Toronto’s push as a comeback bid that ultimately fell short, and points to Anthony Stolarz and the team defence being too leaky for the bench’s liking.

The Bruins stayed atop the Atlantic with 10 points (5-2-0) thanks to a 6-3 win over the Sharks. Sportsnet zeroes in on San Jose forward Ivar Stenberg, who scored his first NHL goal on the power play off a feed from Macklin Celebrini to tie the game 2-2. Tampa Bay remained at 8 points after a 4-1 loss to the Rangers, where Alexis Lafrenière scored twice and Dylan Garand made 25 saves, per Sportsnet.

In Detroit, the Devils edged the Red Wings 5-4 in overtime or a shootout, leaving Detroit last in the Atlantic with 4 points (1-3-2). The Hockey News has already reported — a note we have also carried — that the Red Wings are closing in on a seven-year extension with Alex DeBrincat. Buffalo, meanwhile, exits Montreal with a single point from the shootout loss, leaving the Sabres at 7 points (3-3-1), level with the Maple Leafs and behind the Canadiens in the standings.