Atlantic Division Update: Bruins back in third place

Although the Bruins were shut out against the Nashville Predators this weekend, they inched their way back into third place in the division, bypassing our mortal enemies the Montreal Canadiens. The Bruins currently sit three wins behind the first place Tampa Bay Lightning and two wins below the second place Toronto Maple Leafs. Here’s what’s going on with our rivals.

First in the Atlantic: Tampa Bay Lightning

Games played: 14

Point leader: Brayden Point

The Lightning moved past the Leafs this week after winning two of the three games they played. They beat the New Jersey Devils 8-3, completely dominating on the ice. Nakita Kucherov and Braydon Coburn had two goals each, producing half the goals scored. They lost 4-1 to the Nashville Predators, proving the Bruins aren’t the only team who struggled against the powerhouse team this week. They came back in form on Saturday, beating the Montreal Canadiens 4-1. I’ll drink to that.

This week in Lightning news, the club re-signed Yanni Gourde to a six-year contract. Gourde is closely behind Brayden Point with six goals and eight assists on the season. Steven Stamkos also revived himself from a goal drought this weekend, scoring two. He has ten points so far this season.

Second in the Atlantic: Toronto Maple Leafs

Games played: 14

Point leaders: Morgan Rielly and Mitch Marner

The absence of Auston Matthews allowed for Rielly and Marner to step up in point production, beating out Matthews’ 16 points on the season with 18 points each. They lost to both the Calgary Flames and the Dallas Stars early in the week, then came back strong shutting out the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-0. Rielly had two goals in the Pittsburgh game, while Marner had two assists.

Auston Matthews will be missing from the Leafs line up for at least four weeks with a shoulder injury. The Leafs are proving they can still score goals without him on the ice, though I’m sure they want him back sooner than later. There is still no news on William Nylander’s contract situation. He is currently sidelined without a contract. This will settle soon, right?

Third in the Atlantic: Your Boston Bruins!

Games played: 13

Point leader: Patrice Bergeron

The Bruins only played two games this week, but it was enough to lift them up in the standings. Facing off against old friend Dougie Hamilton, the Bruins pulled off a 3-2 victory. Hamilton did score a goal and I’m going to be honest with you guys, I wasn’t mad about it. Miss you Dougie. Like I mentioned earlier, they lost 0-1 against the Nashville Predators. On to the next.

Brad Marchand’s incredible reenactment of Colton Sissons lead to the Bruins killing off a four minute penalty and being Marchand-less on the ice for 14 minutes. A clear replay easily shows Marchand’s stick never made contact with Sissons, but the sell by Sessions paired with his reputation lead to a 14 minute penalty for Marchand. Pretty ridiculous if you ask me.

Fourth in the Atlantic: Montreal Canadiens

Games played: 13

Point leader: Max Domi

The Canadiens played three games this week and lost two of them, we should celebrate. They somehow beat the Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals 6-4, but lost 4-1 to both the Dallas Stars and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Not too much going on with the Habs this week.

Fifth in the Atlantic: Buffalo Sabres

Games played: 15

Point Leader: Jack Eichel

We are living in a simulation and it is glitching. Forget everything else the Sabres did this week, they won 9-2! Sure, it was against the Ottawa Senators, but come on. The Sabres are not at the bottom of the table this year AND they scored NINE GOALS in one game! Eichel didn’t even score in that game, it was other members of the team working together and producing. Wow, what a beautiful thing.

Aside from that wild game, they lost the three other games they played this week; including losing to the Sens 4-2. As for Sabres news, Rasmus Dahlin was hurt, but no further information has been given. He won’t be playing but is traveling with the team.

Sixth in the Atlantic: Ottawa Senators

Games played: 14

Point Leader: Thomas Chabot

As mentioned above, the Ottawa Senators lost 9-2 against the Buffalo Sabres this weekend although they beat them 4-2 a few days beforehand. The Sens also lost the other two games they played this week, 5-1 against the not-so-bad-this-year Arizona Coyotes, and 4-3 in OT to the first place Tampa Bay Lightning. Not much news to see here, the Sens are just not a very good hockey team right now.

Seventh in the Atlantic: Detroit Red Wings

Games played: 14

Point leader: Dylan Larkin

The Detroit Red Wings are going to win the Stanley Cup now. They’ve won three of their last four games, they are truly unstoppable now. They beat out the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-3 and the New Jersey Devils 4-3. Wow, incredible. They did lose to the Edmonton Connor McDavid’s 4-3 though, but that’s okay. They are number one.

Eighth in the Atlantic: Florida Panthers

Games played: 11

Point leader: Evgenii Dadonov

How miserable do you think Frank Vatrano is playing on this Florida Panthers team? They only played two games this week, back-to-back match ups against the Winnipeg Jets. They came with split results, which isn’t bad for a team with three wins this season. They lost the first one 4-2 but then won the second one 4-2? Life is crazy.

These two matches against the Jets were played in Finland. Roberto Luongo returned to the lineup, giving the Panthers their 4-2 victory. He hadn’t played a game with the team since October 6th. His presence was certainly missed.