Top 5: Avalanche does habs a favor by shutting out Red Wings

Mathis Therrien
Top 5: Avalanche does habs a favor by shutting out Red Wings
Credit: Twitter screenshot

There were 14 games on the schedule yesterday in the National Hockey League, with all eyes on the results of the Atlantic Division teams.

With the Montreal Canadiens' huge win over the Buffalo Sabres, we were hoping to see the teams at the top of the standings and their closest pursuers drop points.

Here's what we took away from yesterday's hockey action.

1. The Avalanche makes short work of the Red Wings

After suffering a heavy defeat in Montreal, the Colorado Avalanche, the best team in the NHL, were certainly looking to bounce back immediately.

Well, it seems that the habs angered the Avalanche players, because yesterday, the Avalanche crushed the Detroit Red Wings 5-0, much to the delight of the Habs.

Nathan MacKinnon scored two goals, reaching the 40-goal mark for the season. He is the first to do so.

The Avalanche did the Canadiens a favor, as the Habs are now just one point behind the Red Wings and second place in the Atlantic Division with a game in hand.

(Credit: NHL.com)

2. Matthew Schaefer scores his 15th goal of the season

Here's a player who shows no signs of slowing down and remains the favorite to win the Calder Trophy, awarded to the league's top rookie.

We may be big fans of Ivan Demidov, but we have to admit that seeing an 18-year-old defenseman score goals like Mathew Schaefer does is impressive.

Last night, the young prodigy scored his 15th goal of the season against the Nashville Predators.

3. Roman Josi spoils the Islanders' party

Unfortunately for Schaefer and his Islanders, the Preds managed to snatch victory in the final seconds of the game thanks to Roman Josi.

The Preds defenseman scored the winning goal with just over a minute left in the game in front of the Islanders fans.

4. Fifth straight win for the Blue Jackets

As they do every year, as the season enters its final stretch, the Columbus Blue Jackets are on a winning streak and gradually climbing the standings.

The Blue Jackets are making a big comeback in the standings, having racked up their fifth consecutive win last night.

This 5-3 victory over the St. Louis Blues currently puts them in first place outside the playoff picture.

They are knocking on the door, trailing the Boston Bruins by six points with a game in hand.

(Credit: NHL.com)

5. Wins for the Leafs, Senators, and Capitals, but a loss for the Panthers

In addition to the Detroit Red Wings, we were keeping an eye on several other teams in action last night that could pose a threat to the Montreal Canadiens.

Unfortunately, most of them earned two points last night, while:

  • The Leafs beat the Canucks 3-2 in a shootout
  • The Senators beat the Devils 4-1
  • The Capitals beat the Hurricanes 4-3 in overtime

At least the Panthers lost 2-1 to the Winnipeg Jets.

The standings are tightening up, but the habs are winning, so for now, everything is fine and there's no need to panic.


Overtime

– Here are all of yesterday's results.

– Here are yesterday's top scorers.

(Credit: NHL.com)

– Today's NHL schedule: three games.

(Credit: Google/NHL)
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