The biggest news circling the Atlantic Division this week is, of course, the resigning of William Nylander to the Toronto Maple Leafs. All the buzz in the hockey world as centered around that for so long, it feels so weird that it’s finally over. But it is and there’s more to cover across the division. Here’s how the division is shaping up thus far.
First in the Atlantic: Tampa Bay Lightning
Games played: 27
Point leader: Nikita Kucherov
The Tampa Bay Lightning had an almost perfect week. Besides falling short to the Anaheim Ducks, they took two wins over the Buffalo Sabres and the Florida Panthers. The Lightning ended Buffalo’s ten-game losing streak, while the Florida Panthers nearly won, but they gave up a three-goal lead and allowed the Lightning to not only tie it up but bring home the win in overtime. The Lightning made a goalie change, recalling Eddie Pasquale from the Syracuse Crunch. In turn, they reassigned Connor Ingram. They also lost defensemen Ryan McDonagh to a lower-body injury sustained from a hit by Jack Eichel. Are the Lightning finally going to burn out? Probably not, but we can be hopeful.
Point wins the game, our goalies win the walk off video. #TBLvsFLA | #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/9lGXgVOwHf
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) December 2, 2018
Second in the Atlantic: Toronto Maple Leafs
Games played: 27
Point leader: Mitch Marner
William Nylander finally settled his contract issues and is staying in Toronto. He signed a six-year, $41.77 million dollar contract. He is one of eight players in the NHL with an eight-figure cap hit. The game is over, guys. Aside from finally getting that taken care of, the Leafs also had a great week on the ice. They played three games and won them all. One against the Bruins (4-2 final), the San Jose Sharks (5-3 final), and the Minnesota Wild (5-3 final). Next week, the Leafs play three straight division games. It’ll be a telling moment for them. Do you think Nylander will live up to his expectations?
Third in the Atlantic: Buffalo Sabres
Games played: 27
Point Leader: Jack Eichel
The Buffalo Sabres’ ten-game winning streak has come to an end, thanks to the Tampa Bay Lightning. They only played two other games this week, one prior to their loss where they won in OT over the San Jose Sharks. The second was an OT loss to the Florida Panthers. The Sabres still seem to be hot, but could they be simmering out? Hopefully, for the Bruins sake. The Sabres are struggling with injuries. They are currently without Marco Scandella, Jake McCabe, and Jason Pominville.
Fourth in the Atlantic: Your Boston Bruins!
Games played: 26
Point leader: David Pastrnak
With Patrice Bergeron’s absence, David Pastrnak has moved into the top point producing position with 19 goals and 11 assists. The Bruins had a tough week. They lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings, two division rivals. They had one win against the New York Islanders, but it came in a shootout. Riddled with injuries, the Bruins still look pretty good despite the losses here and there. I wouldn’t lose hope just yet.
.@Bmarch63 wasn't wasting any time.#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/dEIqcyUaHD
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) November 30, 2018
Fifth in the Atlantic: Montreal Canadiens
Games played: 27
Point leader: Max Domi
The Habs played three games this week and lost two of them, so I guess that’s good. They lost to our old friend Dougie Hamilton’s new club, the Carolina Hurricanes. They beat out the New York Rangers 5-2. The San Jose Sharks, who struggled playing Atlantic teams this week, delivered the Montreal Canadiens’ their second loss of the week on Sunday. The Habs placed Nikita Scherbak on waivers and the struggling Los Angeles Kings claimed him. It’ll be interesting to see if that amounts to anything at all.
Sixth in the Atlantic: Ottawa Senators
Games played: 27
Point leader: Matt Duchane
Erik Karlsson made his return to Ottawa this weekend and the Senators had a field day with his new team. They beat the Sharks 6-2. The Senators had a pretty decent week. They won three of the four games they played. They beat out the New York Rangers after losing 4-2 to them earlier in the week. They also pulled off a win over the Philadelphia Flyers. They signed Justin Falk and he quickly made an impression. Maybe the Senators luck is turning around?
Seventh in the Atlantic: Detroit Red Wings
Games played: 27
Point leader: Dylan Larkin
The Detroit Red Wings had a strange week. They started it off losing 7-5 to the Columbus Blue Jackets, regained their composure to beat the St. Luis Blues 4-3. Then, of course, the beat out the Boston Bruins but were shut out on Sunday by the Colorado Avalanche. Not much else going on in Detroit. Just a weird string of games.
#KRONWALLED ‼️ pic.twitter.com/tMDoLnFqsP
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 3, 2018
Eighth in the Atlantic: Florida Panthers
Games played: 25
Point leader: Jonathan Huberdeau
Anyone else starting to feel pretty bad for the Florida Panthers? They only have ten wins on the season. They won two this week, but both were in OT so do they really count? The two OT wins were over the New Jersey Devils and the Buffalo Sabres. They lost in regulation to the Anaheim Ducks and in OT to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Three of four games this week ended in overtime for the Panthers. At least they’re trying, right?